Rapper Moha La Squale, indicted notably for rape of a partner, was placed in provisional detention on Friday night in Paris after being arrested in Germany while on the run, the prosecutor’s office said on Saturday.
The 28-year-old artist, whose real name is Mohamed Bellhamed, was arrested on a European arrest warrant on January 31 in Germany, at the border with Poland, according to the public ministry.
Moha La Squale had been on the run for several weeks. He had fled to Germany while he was supposed to comply with electronic surveillance for his indictment in Paris for rape of a partner, sexual assault, domestic violence, and death threats to a partner.
Held by French authorities on Thursday, the musician was questioned by an investigating judge on Friday and then appeared before a judge who ordered his provisional detention, as requested by the prosecutor. His lawyer, Me Elise Arfi, declined to comment.
The rapper has been indicted since June 2021 for sexual assault and violence against former partners. In July 2022, he was also indicted for rape, a criminal charge, of another ex-partner.
The investigating judge is said to have completed the probe “a few months ago,” according to a source close to the case. At least six women have filed complaints against the artist. Since the completion of the investigation, the parties involved can make observations before the public prosecutor presents its requisitions.
At least one woman has requested that the justice system consider the charge of attempted murder against her, according to a source close to the case. She recounted that Moha La Squale had tried to smother her with a pillow and verbally threatened to kill her.
Moha La Squale, one of the breakout stars of 2018 with his debut album Bendero, had defended himself on Twitter (now X) against these accusations, claiming to have “NEVER, ever raised a hand against a woman.” “This conspiracy was perpetrated to harm me,” he argued in April 2021.
