Rapper Maes Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison for 2018 Incident
Rapper Maes, one of the most popular figures in French rap, has been sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined 10,000 euros by the Paris criminal court. The sentencing occurred in the absence of the 29-year-old artist, who is currently living in Dubai. This marks the second time Maes, whose real name is Walid Georgey, has failed to appear in court for this case.
The incident in question took place in September 2018, when Maes and a group of friends assaulted a man leaving a recording studio in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. The victim suffered total incapacity for work (ITT) for six days after being punched in the face. Although Maes compensated the victim, who subsequently withdrew the complaint, the prosecution continued to press charges.
During initial hearings, Georgey admitted to delivering two punches to the victim. He claimed the man held a 'tile cutter' in his hand, an assertion contradicted by video evidence. Despite his claims, the court found him guilty, emphasizing his continuous disregard for judicial proceedings.
Maes missed his court appearance again, a pattern following his no-show last October, leading to an initial arrest warrant. The rapper cited a 'travel ban' from Dubai authorities, but his lawyer could not verify the document's authenticity. The artist's preference for Dubai is attributed to better weather conditions, according to his legal representation.
In addition to his recent troubles, Maes has a history of legal issues, including a 2015 sentence for drug trafficking. Despite these setbacks, he maintains a substantial following, boasting nearly two million YouTube subscribers and 1.6 million Instagram followers. His latest legal entanglements jeopardize his upcoming concert in Bercy, Paris, scheduled for December.
- The prosecutor initially requested a 12-month prison term and a fine of 15,000 euros. There was also a push for a new arrest warrant, which would mean automatic incarceration should Maes return to French soil. While the court agreed on jail time and a financial penalty, it did not issue the additional arrest warrant.
- The court highlighted the severity of Maes' actions and his apparent defiance of the judicial system. The presiding judge, Guillaume Daieff, lamented the absence of the artist in court, stressing that Maes missed the chance to explain himself, a sentiment echoed by the prosecutor.
- The repercussions of the court's decision remain to be seen, particularly regarding Maes' ability to perform in France. His concert at Bercy, initially planned for February and later rescheduled to December, remains in limbo. Fans and the entertainment industry await further developments as the rapper's legal situation unfolds.
