Ali B’s lawyer, Bart Swier, has announced that the rapper will not be present at the trial on Friday. Say what?! The reason for his absence is unclear, but the Public Prosecution Service is demanding at least three years in prison for the rapper.
Striking choice
According to RTL Boulevard crime reporter Jermaine Ellenkamp, this choice is quite remarkable. The rapper was always in the foreground during the trial, but maybe they advised him to stay home now?
What’s it all about?
Let’s do a quick recap: Ali is suspected of raping and assaulting 20-year-old Naomi M. at Ronnie Flex’s writing camp in Heiloo. In addition, it concerns the alleged assault of Jill Helena, whom he met at The Voice of Holland, and the rape (or attempted rape) of Ellen ten Damme. “The file shows a dominant and manipulative person who does not accept no for an answer,” the courtroom said.
Cross-border behavior not tolerated
The public prosecutor stated in court that inappropriate behavior would not be tolerated, not even by a well-known Dutch person. “It pays to go to the police,” said the public prosecutor. The rapper then spoke, with tears rolling down his cheeks and denying everything. He stated that there were two sides to the story. “This is the day that you will hear my side of the story for the first time.” According to the public prosecutor, the rapper acted so suddenly and unexpectedly that the victims could not resist. “He had no respect for their physical integrity, but was only concerned with his own convenience.”
Verdict in Ali B case on July 12
The judge is expected to rule on this case on July 12. If rape is proven, the rapper could spend up to twelve years in prison.
Involvement of lawyers
In the meantime, it has emerged that in addition to Ridouan Taghi’s lawyer, controversial Khalid & Sophie presenter Khalid Kasem has also interfered in the sex case. “At the end of May, I received a call from Khalid Kasem. He asked me if I would be open to talking to B. personally,” Sébas Diekstra confirmed after a report by RTL Boulevard. He is representing victim Jill Helena, a former finalist from The Voice of Holland, in the case. “It was nothing more than that. It immediately became clear to me that this was another way for the suspect to get the client to go to mediation after all.”
