Moroccan Singer Saad Lamjarred Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison in France Rape Case

Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a French appeals court after being found guilty of aggravated rape in a case dating back to 2016. The verdict was delivered on September 26, 2026, in Créteil, near Paris, increasing his previous six-year prison sentence handed down in 2023. The court also ordered his immediate detention following the ruling. The case has attracted international attention because Lamjarred is one of the most recognised Arabic-language pop singers, with a large fan base across Morocco and the wider Arab world.

The case relates to an incident reported to have taken place in October 2016 in Paris. According to court proceedings, Lamjarred met a 20-year-old woman at a nightclub before they later went to a hotel room. The woman accused the singer of sexually assaulting her, leading to a criminal investigation and subsequent prosecution. In February 2023, a Paris criminal court found Lamjarred guilty of rape and aggravated violence and sentenced him to six years in prison. He denied the allegations and appealed the conviction. The appeal proceedings were held behind closed doors in Créteil, with the court examining the case again before delivering its latest decision.

French Appeals Court Increases Sentence to 10 Years

On September 26, 2026, the appeals court upheld the guilty verdict and imposed a 10-year prison sentence for aggravated rape. The aggravating circumstance reported by French authorities concerned the singer's intoxicated condition at the time of the incident. French prosecutors had requested an eight-year prison sentence during the appeal proceedings. 

However, the court imposed a longer term and ordered immediate detention. The ruling represents an increase of four years compared with the original sentence issued in 2023. The proceedings were conducted privately, following a request for a closed trial. The appeal hearing had previously been postponed in 2025 to allow additional investigations.

Singer's Legal Team Plans Further Appeal

Following the verdict, Lamjarred's lawyer, Marie Burguburu, confirmed that the defence intends to challenge the decision before France's Court of Cassation. The singer has consistently denied the allegations and maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. A cassation appeal generally examines legal issues and procedural compliance rather than conducting a complete retrial of the facts. The latest ruling therefore marks a significant development in the case, although further legal proceedings are expected.

Another Rape Case in France

Lamjarred is also involved in a separate criminal case concerning allegations from 2018 near Saint-Tropez, France. In May 2026, a court in Draguignan sentenced him to five years in prison in that separate case. The singer has appealed that conviction as well. The two cases concern different incidents and are being handled through separate legal proceedings. The latest 10-year sentence relates specifically to the 2016 Paris case and should not be confused with the separate Saint-Tropez proceedings.

Saad Lamjarred's Career and Public Attention

Saad Lamjarred rose to international popularity through Arabic pop music, particularly songs that gained widespread attention on YouTube and across streaming platforms. His music has reached audiences throughout North Africa, the Middle East and other regions. The legal proceedings have received significant media coverage because of his public profile and the seriousness of the convictions. 

His latest sentence has also renewed discussion about the legal consequences of sexual violence cases involving prominent public figures. As of September 28, 2026, Lamjarred remains subject to the 10-year sentence issued by the French appeals court, while his legal team prepares a further challenge. His separate five-year conviction is also under appeal.