As soon as the hearing opened, Ali B struggled to contain his emotion, his voice breaking with tears. He described the repercussions of the case on his personal and professional life, highlighting his cooperation with the justice system during these two and a half years of waiting.
The charge relates to three separate cases of alleged sexual assault, which occurred in different contexts. The rapper said he had difficulty remembering the precise details of certain events, but admitted to having had sexual relations with other women during a writing camp in Heiloo and during a stay in a hotel in Morocco. However, he clarified that these relationships had occurred while his wife was pregnant, which he described as “uncomfortable”.
To read: Netherlands: soon the trial of Moroccan rapper Ali B., accused of rape
Faced with the accusations, Ali B expressed his regrets and the pain inflicted on his family, especially his mother. “I made mistakes, but they did nothing wrong,” he said, highlighting the suffering his cheated wife endured for 20 years.
The alleged victims, including singer Jill Helena and Ellen ten Damme, also spoke, describing the physical and psychological trauma suffered following the incriminating events.
After six hours of hearing, the court decided to continue the debates with new testimonies and the prosecutor’s requisitions expected in the coming days.
