Lawyer: Lamjarred soon to be released from jail

Moroccan singer Saad Lamjarred, who is facing trial in France for sexual assault, could soon be released on a bail, his lawyer told Al Arabiya English.

Lamjarred was arrested at the Marriott Champs Elysées at the 17th arrondissement of Paris on October 26, and placed in custody before being brought before the competent prosecutor.

His lawyer, Rifat Harb, explained that the settlement made between Lamjarred and US prosecutors in New York dismissing a previous criminal case should have an immediate effect case in France since it was the New York case that was holding his release.

“My client has met with the US prosecutors in New York this week in connection with the 2010 criminal case and indictment of Mr Saad Lamjarred and the issue of his extradition to New York,” Harb said.

“During this meeting, my client signed a waiver of prosecution, essentially asking that the criminal case be dismissed,” he added.

Back in May, Lamjarred was hit with a Brooklyn Supreme Court lawsuit that was reopened six years after a young woman first accused him of beating and raping her after they went out on a date, however the civil case was later settled in June.

Lamjarred's defense team pleaded for the French judiciary to enable their client to leave prison and stay under house arrest while awaiting trial. But he was denied bail and remains in jail.

However, his lawyer stated that “while the merits of the case in France are obviously independent of the case in New York, it is reasonable that Mr. Lamjarred could soon be released on a bail until trial,”