Rabat – Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred is set to appear in court again in France for the appeal phase of his 2016 rape conviction.
“Saad Lamjarred will appear on appeal before the Criminal Court of Créteil from Monday, June 2 to Friday, June 6, 2025,” French lawyer Hafida El Ali said on X.
This follows Lamjarred’s 2023 conviction for the rape of a French woman, Laura Briol, in 2016. The French court sentenced him to six years in prison on charges of aggravated rape, but he was released on temporary bail just a month later.
Lamjarred and Briol are both expected to attend the sessions. This trial comes after multiple delays and legal procedures, which have kept the case in the public spotlight for years. The singer has consistently maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
The incident in question occurred at a luxury hotel on the Champs-Élysées. The victim, then 20 years old, testified that Lamjarred assaulted and raped her after they met at a Paris nightclub. Hotel staff reported seeing her in distress afterward.
Lamjarred denied the allegations, claiming he did not commit the acts he was accused of. He acknowledged occasional use of alcohol and drugs at the time but stated he had since stopped. Despite his denial, the court found him guilty, and he was arrested and transferred to prison immediately after the verdict.
In April 2023, Lamjarred was granted provisional release while awaiting the outcome of his appeal. He remains under judicial supervision pending his new trial.
This case has sparked significant public debate in Morocco and elsewhere, with many supporting the victim and others questioning the fairness of the trial. The controversy has led to cancellations of some of Lamjarred’s shows.
