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Saad Lamjarred Receives 10-Year Sentence After French Appeal

A French appeal court has increased Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred’s sentence from six years to 10 years in the case involving Laura Prioul, marking another major development in a legal case that has continued for years in France.

Lamjarred’s defense is preparing to challenge the ruling before France’s Court of Cassation, which examines legal and procedural issues surrounding court decisions.

Details of the Saad Lamjarred and Laura Prioul Case

The case dates back to 2016, when Saad Lamjarred met Laura Prioul at a nightclub in Paris. The two later went to a hotel, where the events that eventually became the subject of a criminal case took place.

Throughout the proceedings, the two sides presented different accounts of what happened and the nature of their relationship that night.

Saad Lamjarred’s First Sentence

In 2023, a Paris criminal court convicted Saad Lamjarred and sentenced him to six years in prison.

His defense appealed the decision, sending the case to an appellate criminal court where the evidence, arguments and circumstances surrounding the case were examined again.

During the proceedings, Lamjarred denied committing rape and maintained his account of the relationship with Laura Prioul, while Prioul presented a different account before the court.

Why Was Saad Lamjarred’s Sentence Increased to 10 Years?

The appeal ruling increased Saad Lamjarred’s sentence from six years to 10 years, making the new sentence more severe than the original judgment issued in 2023.

The appeal ruling does not necessarily mean that all legal avenues have been exhausted, as French law provides for further challenges before the Court of Cassation in certain circumstances.

What Is Saad Lamjarred’s Defense Planning Next?

Saad Lamjarred’s defense is preparing to challenge the appeal ruling before France’s Court of Cassation.

This stage differs from a retrial of the facts. The Court of Cassation primarily examines whether the law was correctly applied and whether proper legal procedures were followed.

Separate Extortion Case Involving Laura Prioul

Alongside the rape case, Laura Prioul’s name also appeared in a separate legal file involving an alleged attempt to extort Saad Lamjarred, with reports referring to a demand of up to €3 million.

However, the extortion case is separate from the proceedings that resulted in the 10-year prison sentence. Prioul was not convicted in the extortion case, while other defendants received rulings in connection with that file.

What Happens Next for Saad Lamjarred?

Following the increase of his sentence to 10 years on appeal, attention now turns to the legal step that Saad Lamjarred’s defense is expected to take before France’s Court of Cassation.

If the challenge is filed, it will focus on legal and procedural grounds, keeping the case within the French judicial system after years of proceedings and court rulings.

What sentence did Saad Lamjarred receive on appeal?

His sentence was increased from six years to 10 years by the French appeal court.

When was Saad Lamjarred first sentenced?

He was sentenced to six years in prison by a Paris criminal court in 2023.

Can Saad Lamjarred challenge the appeal ruling?

Yes. His defense is preparing to challenge the ruling before France’s Court of Cassation.

Does the Court of Cassation conduct a full retrial?

The Court of Cassation primarily reviews legal and procedural issues rather than retrying the facts in the same way as a trial court.

Is the extortion case part of the 10-year sentence case?

No. The extortion case is a separate legal matter from the case that resulted in the 10-year prison sentence.