Mami cracks up during his trial in Paris

Bobigny’s ( Paris suburbs) main court room was packed with dozens of journalists and law trainees who flocked to attend the trial of the Prince of Rai the Algerian singer Cheb Mami, charged for abortion attempt on the French photographer Isabelle Simon.

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• Dressed in white shirt and black pant, he was escorted to the bench by three policemen. The singer took some moments to converse with his lawyers before taking position on the bench.
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• Seven judges including four women got into the courtroom while the main prosecutor started calling on the accused namely: Mohammed khelifati (Mami), his manager Michel Levy (charged for being the main plotter , but kept denying the facts till the last moment) and the two absents Abdelkader Laalali ( Mami’s manager in Algeria) and the Moroccan Hichem Laazer (Levy’s company artistic manager).The plaintiff Isabelle Simon was present in the trial.
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• The morning session was suspended at 1 pm to be resumed at 2.30 pm during which the judge started hearing the victim and the defendants. While Isabelle Simon appeared serene and relax Michel Levy delved in as series of contradictions forcing the judge to warn him. For his part Cheb Mami lost his concentration and spent most of the time crying and acknowledging his fault.
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• The trial lasted till midnight wound up with severe sentences pronounced against the accused. Abdelakader Laalali was sentenced to 10 years; Hichem Laazer was given 08 years, Michel Levy 06 while Cheb Mami was sentenced to 07 years. The judge took into account the fact that the singer was present at the trial and admitted the facts.
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• Mami’s lawyer Claire Deblais to “Echourok”: We have informed the police about Mami’s arrival to Paris”
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•    Q: The audience was struck by Mami’s courage when admitting the facts and asking for forgiveness?
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• A: The important thing in the trial was to shed light on the facts, that’s why the defendants were asked to tell the truth, unfortunately only my client Mohammed Khelifati played the game.
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• Q: Mami didn’t stop from crying all along the evening session?
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• A: This is quite normal, put yourself in his place a star like Mami appearing before the judge.
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• Q: But he appeared very calm in the morning?
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• A: Of course because he appeared before the judge in order to shed light on some truths but as the trial proceeded he grew anxious and lost his concentration.
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• Q: Did he coordinate his travel to France with you?
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• A: Indeed, he was coordinating with his lawyers and we have informed the French authorities
• About his arrival
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• Isabelle Simon’s lawyer: “What has been said concerning 500 thousand Euros compensation was pure speculation” 
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• Q: How did you find Cheb Mami all along the trial?
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• A: He showed a respectful attitude from the beginning as he admitted his responsibility in the facts.
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• Q: You didn’t claim prison against the defendants?
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• A: My client didn’t show up to the trial in order to put her executioners in the prison but only to admit that she underwent worse torture. Cheb Mami has admitted his facts and is ready to pay the victim.
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• Q: Was there any contact between you and Mami’s lawyers?
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•  A: I assure that there wasn’t any contact between me and Mohammed Khelifati’s lawyers.
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• Q: Allegations said that Isabelle Simon was ready to abandon the suing against 500 Thousand euros in return?
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• A: These are pure speculations the only negotiations between the two parties consisted in an offer made by Mami to Isabelle concerning a sum of 30 thousand Euros and before 100 thousand Euros to abort in London, but my client refused.
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