Following three weeks of hearings, the judgment was pronounced: MHD was sentenced to 12 years in prison, this Saturday, September 23, 2023, by the Paris Assize Court. Appearing alongside eight other accused for the homicide of a young man in 2018, in a context of vendetta between antagonistic groups, the verdict seals his fate.
The legal case concerning MHD, whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, reached its climax on Saturday September 23, 2023 with the declaration of the long-awaited verdict. The 29-year-old rapper, who had chosen a quiet life in Montpellier with his daughter, found himself in the dock in Paris, mired in a dark murder case that occurred in 2018, resulting from a brawl between opposing gangs. The court finally ruled, condemning the “Afro-trap” artist to 12 years of criminal imprisonment.
The eight co-accused, involved in the same case, did not all share the same fate; five of them received sentences ranging between 10 and 18 years, while three were acquitted, for lack of sufficient evidence according to the magistrates. The tears and screams of the relatives of the accused resonated in the room when the verdict was pronounced, reflecting the shock wave caused by the judicial decision. But, in this turmoil, MHD remained imperturbable, offering a hug to a crying woman before being taken to the depot. Lhe picture was dark and heavy, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter, both for the rapper and the families involved.
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MHD’s defense in failure
MHD’s defense, led by Mes Elise Arfi and Antoine Vey, came up against a multitude of testimonies and evidence incriminating the rapper. Notwithstanding his musical success, MHD had maintained links with the city of Chaufourniers. Several witnesses located him at the scene of the tragedy, an assertion that the rapper has constantly refuted. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that the Mercedes set on fire belonged to him and that a video testified to the presence of a man matching his description during the attack.
Defense lawyers proclaimed their client’s innocence, criticizing an investigation built on rumors and questionable testimony. But the “law of silence” largely dominated this trial, with many witnesses choosing not to testify, leaving an aura of mystery and fear of reprisals. The verdict resonated like a clap of thunder, imprisoning not only an aspiring artist, but also hopes and aspirations, behind the bars of justice.