process
More than four years in prison demanded for Bushido’s ex-manager
Rapper Bushido described his view of things over 25 days in the criminal proceedings against his ex-manager. photo
© Joerg Carstensen/dpa
The sensational separation of rapper Bushido and his ex-manager has been a concern for the judiciary for years. After almost three and a half years of negotiations, the criminal trial is nearing its end.
In the criminal case against rapper’s ex-manager Bushido, the Berlin public prosecutor sees the main allegations against the defendant confirmed after years of trial. Senior public prosecutor Petra Leister applied to the Berlin regional court for a total sentence of four years and four months in prison for Arafat A.-Ch., who is considered a Berlin clan chief.
The 47-year-old should be convicted of, among other things, attempted serious predatory extortion, deprivation of liberty, coercion as well as dangerous bodily harm and serious breach of trust, demanded the public prosecutor on the 112th day of the trial after almost three and a half years.
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. The focus of the indictment was an incident on January 18, 2018, in which Bushido was 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.
Verdict possibly on January 26th
The defendants remained silent about the allegations in court. They are all at large. The trial is scheduled to continue on January 26th (9:30 a.m.) with arguments from the defense. The court is also planning its verdict for the same day. If this is not possible due to time constraints, February 5th would be scheduled for it.
The alleged acts are said to have occurred after Bushido severed relations with his manager in 2017. His former business partner did not want to accept the separation and demanded a payment of millions from the musician and participation in his business for 15 years.
Bushido (45), whose real name is Anis Mohamed Ferchichi, is a witness and co-plaintiff in the criminal proceedings. A large part of the allegations are based on his statements. In total, more than 60 witnesses were heard in the proceedings, including prominent rappers.
Accusations are largely based on Bushido’s statements
The court must decide what was voluntary in this relationship – and what was not, explained the public prosecutor. Ultimately it’s about the question, “Who do we believe?” In her three-hour plea, the prosecutor recapitulated the musician’s extensive statement. He hesitated for a long time to testify against his former partner.
Ultimately, his wife Anna-Maria Ferchichi is said to have played a key role in Bushido turning against his business partner. In court she said, among other things, Arafat A.-Ch. have determined her life.
Bushido described his view of things over 25 days of the trial – sometimes in tears. What was sold as a “super friendship” was a “forced marriage,” the prosecutor said in her plea. After the incident that was at the center of the trial, Bushido was traumatized and sought psychological treatment.
Sobering interim conclusions from the court
At the beginning of June 2022, the Berlin Regional Court drew a sobering interim conclusion: The preliminary assessment at the time was that the allegations of deprivation of liberty and attempted serious predatory blackmail had not been confirmed. The main reason for delays in the process was a secretly recorded audio file that appeared at the beginning of 2022 and whose authenticity remained controversial despite an expert opinion.
In the event that A.-Ch. is only sentenced to a fine in the trial, the public prosecutor has estimated a daily rate of 2,500 euros. The 47-year-old tried to hide his assets from the public prosecutor, said Leister. However, based on research and witness statements, she was convinced that he was wealthy.
Further trials in Berlin and Brandenburg
Millions in payments are also at stake in civil lawsuits between the former companions, which courts in Berlin and Brandenburg have been dealing with for a long time. The Berlin Chamber Court has to deal with a ruling by the regional court, according to which A.-Ch. should pay back almost 1.8 million euros plus interest to Bushido. The background is that, from the judge’s point of view, there was no management contract between the two.
The rapper therefore did not have to pay the amount to his business partner at the time. After their separation, the two fought before the Higher Regional Court in Brandenburg (Havel) over compensation payments for houses that they had purchased together in Rüdersdorf.