Saad Lamjarred Sentenced to Five Years in Prison over Saint-Tropez Case
On Friday, May 15, 2026, a French court sentenced the prominent Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred to five years in prison for rape, in a case dating back to 2018 in Saint-Tropez. The verdict was delivered by the Draguignan Assize Court in southeastern France following a trial held behind closed doors, in compliance with French legislation regarding sensitive sexual assault cases.
The 41-year-old artist, widely known for his global hit "Lm3allem," was prosecuted following a complaint filed by a young woman he met at a nightlife venue in the famous coastal resort. The victim stated that she accompanied the singer to his hotel room, where she alleged she was sexually assaulted. Throughout the legal proceedings, Lamjarred consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the relationship was entirely consensual.
While the prosecution had requested a harsher sentence of ten years in prison, the court ultimately decided on a five-year term. In addition to the prison sentence, Lamjarred was ordered to pay €30,000 in damages to the plaintiff, along with €5,000 to cover legal fees.
Deeply shaken when the verdict was announced, the singer reportedly burst into tears in the courtroom, where his father, the famous Moroccan artist Bachir Abdou, and his wife, Ghita El Allaki, were present. His defense attorney, Christian Saint-Palais, declined to make any public comments regarding the court's decision.
This ruling deals a severe blow to the career of one of the biggest stars in modern Arabic music. Lamjarred had previously revolutionized Moroccan pop, achieving historic milestones including over a billion views on YouTube. The ruling is expected to further polarize public opinion across Morocco and the Arab world, balancing those who still support his innocence against those who respect the final decision of the French judiciary.
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