Rabat – Moroccan singer Latifa Raafat broke her silence on the Desert Escobar affair, defending herself and her daughter against accusations of being complicit in the case and attempting to flee the country.
In a widely shared live video on Instagram, Raafat said that, unlike what is being circulated online, she was not married six times, explaining that she only married three times.
One of the most recognizable artists in the Moroccan music scene, Raafat earned widespread respect and admiration for her contributions to the national music industry.
Some of her most famous works include “Meghyara,” “Donia,” “Al Hamdo Li Llah,” “Ya Hali Ya Aachrani,” and “Ana fi Arek Ya Yama.” Her reputation extends throughout the entire Arab world.
Her first marriage was with her Manager Mohamed Hamid Al Alaoui, and the second time with El Hadj Ahmed Ben Ibrahim, who became known as the “Desert Escobar.”
Ben Ibrahim was arrested at the Casablanca airport in 2019 and sentenced to at least 10 years in the Al Jadid prison after being found guilty of running an international drug trafficking ring based in South America.
In the Instagram Live, the Moroccan artist confirmed her marriage to the “Desert Escobar” and denied knowledge of his drug trafficking.
Raafat detailed her meeting and marriage to the “Desert Escobar,” which lasted for 4 months and 10 days, and repeatedly asserted that she had no knowledge of his involvement in drug trafficking.
She said that he presented himself as a businessman with companies and wanted to invest in Morocco, a story that their mutual friends confirmed.
She revealed that her divorce from him came shortly after she moved in with him in Casablanca, citing his continuous partying and her suspicions about certain matters as reasons for seeking divorce and relinquishing all financial entitlements in the process.
Raafat refuted the rumors that the controversial drug baron had bought her the villa where she currently resides. “I bought this villa myself before we even met,” she insisted.
The Moroccan singer raised questions about the motives behind implicating her in such cases, aiming to tarnish her reputation, which has long been a source of “pride for her country.”
Raafat also addressed suspicions about her daughter’s lineage, as some online users accused her of stealing the child. She asserted that her daughter resembles her father, who avoids public appearances.
The Desert Escobar saga returned to the center of public attention this month as 20 new suspects were identified in the case.
On Sunday, the Attorney General at the Court of Appeal in Casablanca made public a list of charges leveled against 20 suspects, including WAC President Said Naciri and MP Abdennebi Biioui, both of whom were affiliated with the Modernity and Authenticity Party (PAM).
Reports allege that the two officials were involved in money laundering, use of forged documents, and abuses of power, as well as misappropriation of public funds.
The suspects are facing a range of charges including conspiring to possess, traffic, transport, and export drugs as well as corruption, and forgery.
The case has by far implicated a total of 25 suspects. The list of suspects includes individuals “holding parliamentary duties or responsibilities in local groups, and others tasked with law enforcement,” a statement from the police department says.
Read Also: Prosecutor Discloses More Details on Naciri, Biioui Alleged Involvement in ‘Desert Escobar’ Case
