Saad Lamjarred defense to appeal 10-year sentence in France

The legal defense for Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred has announced plans to appeal to the French Court of Cassation following an appellate court ruling that increased his prison sentence to 10 years. The conviction stems from a 2016 rape accusation involving Laura Preuol.

Lamjarred’s legal team, including lawyer Marie Bourgouboro, has raised allegations of extortion and procedural irregularities. The defense claims that the complainant’s mother requested a “price for freedom,” specifically citing a demand for funds to purchase a house in Saint Barth. The defense also alleges that certain audio recordings used as evidence may have been manipulated to falsely suggest that Lamjarred or his associates initiated contact to offer money.

In a social media statement, Lamjarred’s wife, Ghita Alaki, expressed her rejection of the verdict and maintained her husband's innocence. She highlighted previous legal proceedings in Paris where Preuol was acquitted of extortion and criminal gang charges, while her mother and lawyer received suspended prison sentences for their roles in an attempted extortion plot involving a 3-million-euro demand.