Incarcerated since June in Italy and then in Belgium following her judicial transfer, Malian singer Rokia Traoré was released on the evening of Wednesday January 22, following a new hearing at the courthouse from Brussels. In conflict with the father of her 9-year-old daughter – who currently lives in Mali – she was sentenced to two years in prison for “failure to represent a child”.
With our correspondent in Brussels, Pierre Benazet
Incarcerated since the end of November in Brussels where she was transferred after her arrest in Italy last June as part of a conflict with her Belgian ex-partner over custody of their daughter, Rokia Traoré has found freedom. On the evening of Wednesday January 22, after seven months of detention, she left Haren prison, in the north of Brussels, where she had been incarcerated on November 29. The decision was taken by Belgian justice earlier in the day, following a new hearing which the Malian singer did not attend. “ Today, Madame Traoré finds freedom », declared his lawyer, Me Dimitri de Béco.
-Rokia Traoré will obviously have to appear in person during the next trial which will, in all probability, take place in a peaceful atmosphere. On the other hand, since the previous judgment is annulled, there is no obligation to reside in Belgium until then is imposed on her, and her lawyers affirm that she will reside in Europe, without further details.
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