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Rabat – Moroccan Photographer Salim Berrada, known as the “Tinder rapist,” has appealed his conviction for multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in Paris, according to French media.
He lodged the appeal on Thursday, according to his lawyers Irina Kratz and Ambroise Viennet-Legué. 38-year-old Berrada was sentenced to 18 years in prison on March 29 for 15 counts of sexual violence and rape between 2014 and 2016.
Berrada attracted his victims through social media and dating sites, mainly Tinder, and lured them to his Paris studio under the pretext of a photoshoot. He would then ply them with alcohol and drugs and then assault them.
He maintained his innocence throughout his two-week trial, claiming that all sexual encounters were consensual.
“I have never drugged anyone. I have never had a modus operandi to rape anyone,” he said during his trial as quoted by BFMTV.
However, the prosecution argued that Berrada systematically manipulated and assaulted his victims, labeling his actions as a form of sexual violence.
During the trial, Berrada, reportedly showed no remorse for his actions and insisted that his interactions with the victims were consensual.
Despite his defense, the prosecutor described Berrada’s behavior as a calculated pattern of manipulation and violence. In addition, he was banned from French territory as part of his sentence.
The notorious photographer initially faced allegations of rape and sexual assault from 17 women. While he was acquitted in the case of two women due to lack of evidence and their absence during the trial, the majority of the victims testified against him.
Now, Berrada’s legal team has filed an appeal against his conviction, signaling a new chapter in the legal proceedings. The upcoming trial will take place in front of an appeals court, where the case will be re-examined.
