It was a good day for the defenders: In the trial against clan boss Arafat Abou-Chaker and three of his brothers for alleged crimes against rapper Bushido, the regional court sees some points of the indictment as unproven – attempted severe predatory extortion and deprivation of liberty are not to be assumed according to preliminary assessment.
And after 71 days of negotiations, a brother of the clan boss is clearly on the way to acquittal. After Bushido broke up the long-standing business relationship with Arafat Abou-Chaker in 2017 – he acted as Bushido’s manager in the music business – criminal offenses are said to have occurred.
According to the indictment, the clan boss is said not to have accepted the separation and demanded millions of dollars. The musician, whose real name is Anis Ferchichi, was locked in an office on January 18, 2018, attacked with a half-full hard plastic water bottle and a chair.
The public prosecutor’s office assumes an attempted severe predatory extortion as well as deprivation of liberty, dangerous bodily harm, coercion, insult, infidelity. Negotiations have been ongoing since August 2020. On Wednesday, the judges surprised with a short interim result.
The preliminary assessment comprised three points. Arafat Abou-Chaker cannot be assumed to assume that he is not entitled to payment. There was a written contract between the parties from which he could derive a claim.
In connection with the allegation of deprivation of liberty, it said: “Mr. Ferchichi was able to leave the office.” Thirdly, the current view of the oldest accused. He didn’t hit; there is also no evidence of promotion or approval of physical harm by others.
So far, trial days have been scheduled until the end of October. It continues on June 15 with a rapper on the witness stand.
