crime
Verdict expected in the trial against Bushido’s ex-manager
Rapper Bushido broke off relations with his ex-manager in 2017. photo
© Joerg Carstensen/dpa
The times when rapper Bushido and his ex-manager stood together on the red carpet are over. Their separation has been going on in court for years. Now there should be a verdict.
The trial against Rapper’s ex-manager lasted around three and a half years Bushido lasted – today the Berlin Regional Court wants to give its verdict. The prosecution accuses Arafat A.-Ch. and his brothers, among other things, attempted serious predatory extortion, deprivation of liberty, coercion as well as grievous bodily harm and serious infidelity.
From the perspective of the public prosecutor, the main allegations have been confirmed. She has requested a total sentence of four years, three months and one week in prison for the 47-year-old, who is considered the Berlin clan boss. His lawyers do not believe any of the crimes that are said to have happened to rapper Bushido (45) have been proven. They demanded an acquittal.
The main defendant is also charged with a series of unauthorized tape recordings. Arafat A.-Ch. admitted shortly before the end of the trial.
Co-defendants are three brothers of Bushido’s ex-partner, aged 42, 46 and 53. Total sentences ranging from seven months probation to two years and one month in prison were requested against them. Their lawyers also requested an acquittal.
The majority of the allegations are based on statements made by Bushido
Bushido, whose real name is Anis Mohamed Ferchichi, is a witness and co-plaintiff in the criminal proceedings. A large part of the allegations against his long-time business partner and the co-defendant are based on the statements of the rapper, who now lives with his family in Dubai. According to his lawyer, the musician will not travel to the verdict.
The focus of the proceedings is an incident on January 18, 2018, in which Bushido is said to have been held against his will. He is said to have been attacked with a water bottle and a chair thrown at him.
The alleged acts are said to have occurred after Bushido broke off relations with Arafat A.-Ch. dissolved in 2017. His ex-manager did not want to accept the separation and demanded a payment of millions from the musician and participation in his business for 15 years.
Prominent witnesses from the rapper scene
The court has tried to resolve the case on 113 days of hearings since August 2020. The process took place under strict security precautions. Some saw this as a long-awaited blow to clan crime because Bushido showed no fear. This is different in many trials against members of large families who are linked to organized crime.
The term clan crime is controversial because, according to critics, it stigmatizes and discriminates against people with a migrant background based solely on their family affiliation and origin.
More than 60 witnesses were heard, including prominent rappers such as Samra, Fler, Ali Bumaye and Kay One. The focus of the statements, however, was the interrogation of Bushido and his wife Anna-Maria Ferchichi, which lasted many days. They painted the picture of a “forced marriage” with the main defendant.
From the defense’s perspective, the couple’s statements are not credible. The rapper is a good entertainer, said lawyer Hansgeorg Birkhoff. “What he says comes across fine. But does that mean what he says is true?”