The long-awaited trial against rapper Ali B has finally started in the Haarlem court. The artist is accused of two sexual assaults and two rapes, allegations he categorically denies in an emotional statement in court.
Statement by Ali B
With a tense posture and a trembling voice, Ali B read out his statement, in which he emphasized that, to his knowledge, everything that had happened was consensual. “It’s terrifying to hear that I may have done something criminal,” he said. “I was afraid of losing my family, but I was sure that I never raped a woman. I also never received a signal that they didn’t want anything. I find it painful. We have a completely different experience.”
Criticism of media
The rapper indicated that he begged the makers of BOOS, in which the accusations were made, to postpone them until a thorough investigation could be conducted. He felt treated as if he had a contagious disease and has struggled with sleepless nights ever since. The rapper also criticized the media for its lack of critical analysis of the allegations, which he claimed were full of falsehoods. He felt convicted by the media without a fair trial.
Struggle with suicidal thoughts
A shocking revelation during the statement was that Ali B has struggled with suicidal thoughts for the past 2.5 years, something he never understood before. “I started thinking that it would be better for my family if I were gone,” he sobbed.
The Voice of Holland
The case surrounding the rapper is attracting a lot of attention, this is coming because it is the first and only criminal case about the alleged abuses at The Voice of Holland. The Public Prosecution Service started the criminal investigation after an episode of the online program ANGRY about sexual misconduct at the talent show. At the end of last month, the Public Prosecution Service announced that it would dismiss the case against band leader Jeroen Rietbergen due to a lack of evidence. The investigation into singer Marco Borsato is complete The Voice led to a dismissal in March last year. Marco is still being prosecuted for indecent exposure in another sexual offense investigation.
