Saad Lamjarred case: family reacts after harsher appeal verdict

The latest twist in the Saad Lamjarred case is sparking strong reactions in Morocco and across Moroccan communities abroad, after the appeal court in Créteil, France, handed the singer a harsher prison sentence.

Saad Lamjarred case: what to know

On Saturday, the criminal court of appeal in Créteil increased the sentence imposed on Saad Lamjarred. Found guilty of raping a young French woman for acts dating back to 2016, the artist has now been sentenced to ten years in prison.

This decision toughens an earlier ruling delivered in 2023, when the sentence was set at six years. The legal proceedings are taking place in France, under French criminal law, and the singer is being held there.

For Moroccans living abroad, who have closely followed this high-profile case, the verdict confirms that the file concerns one individual and remains strictly in the hands of French justice, with no direct impact on their rights to travel to or from Morocco.

Family reaffirms Saad Lamjarred’s innocence

Shortly after the verdict was announced, the singer’s family decided to speak publicly. His father, well-known Moroccan actor and singer Bachir Abdou, posted a deeply emotional message on his Facebook page.

In it, he reiterates his absolute conviction that his son is innocent. He describes the ruling as unjust, despite what he presents as elements submitted by the defence before the court and the prosecution.

For him, Saad Lamjarred is “innocent in the strictest sense of the word”. He says he is fighting this battle as a father, but also as a public figure who knows how strongly Moroccans are divided by the case.

A painful ordeal for the artist’s inner circle

In his message, Bachir Abdou also details the human cost of the Saad Lamjarred case for the singer’s close circle. He mentions the anguish of his wife, actress Nezha Regragui, an established name in Moroccan theatre and television.

He also evokes the ordeal faced by Saad Lamjarred’s wife, his mother-in-law and the collaborators who have long worked with him on his artistic projects. For the family, this new sentence on appeal prolongs an already exhausting period.

On social media, many Moroccan fans, including those based in Europe and the Gulf, are reacting. Some post messages of support to the family, while others stress the seriousness of the offences judged by the French court. The public debate remains intense, torn between respect for the court’s decision and attachment to a major figure of Moroccan pop music.

What it means for Moroccans living abroad

The Saad Lamjarred case remains an individual criminal matter. It does not change travel rules between Morocco and France, nor does it alter administrative procedures for Moroccans living abroad.

For Moroccans abroad who closely follow the story, a few key points are worth keeping in mind:

• The proceedings are conducted by French courts, under French criminal law.
• The conviction concerns one person only, and does not affect the rights of other Moroccan nationals.
• Cultural ties between Morocco and its overseas communities are broader than any single celebrity.

For those planning a trip home, a property project or a long-term return to Morocco, nothing in this verdict changes the administrative or security framework.

However, the case is a reminder of how important it is for any citizen living abroad to understand the legal framework of the host country, and how its justice system deals with sexual violence cases.

For questions related to rights, protection or legal assistance for Moroccans overseas, official institutions and consular services remain the main points of contact.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.