Accused of rape and sexual assault, rapper Naps, whose real name is Nabil Boukhobza, finds himself at the heart of a serious legal case. The 33-year-old from Marseillais, known for his hit La Kiffancefaces several charges dating back to three years ago. On October 3, 2021 precisely, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened an investigation into rape targeting himfollowing the complaint filed by a 20-year-old woman. According to information from the prosecution to AFP, the latter claims to have been attacked by the artist during his sleep after having met him “in an establishment in the 9th arrondissement of the capital”on the night of September 30 to October 1. She would have been “invited with friends to the rapper’s table”and young women would have it “then followed in his hotel room near the Gare de Lyon, gradually left by the rapper’s friends (…) The young women had fallen asleep and one said she had been aroused by sexual intercourse for which she had not consented.
Naps, for his part, defended himself for the first time by describing these accusations as “rumors” and announced on his social networks that he had asked his lawyer to file a complaint for “slanderous denunciation”. This year, the investigation of this case resulted in his summons before the Criminal Court of Paris, but his lawyer appealed of the decision of the investigating magistrate, contesting the referral to trial. On August 2, Naps was arrested again in a hotel in Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer, in connection with new accusations. The rapper was then placed under judicial control, then imprisoned after failing to comply with this control. Despite the scale of the charges, the artist decided to speak out publicly once again this Thursday, November 7, with an unexpected tone. If he proclaims his innocence, it is rather the form of his speech which surprised.
Naps’ speech on social networks divides
“So Team, I hope you’re okay?”these are the words that begin the press release published on the artist’s Instagram account. “Obviously, I remain presumed innocent”he declared, emphasizing that “no sentencing decision was made so far”. Far from appearing dejected, he ensures that he remains “determined to demonstrate [son] innocence” and ready to cooperate fully with justice. “And know one thing, it is that I am TARPIN SEREIN (very serene, editor’s note)he concludes, before suddenly mentioning his new musical project. Other than that, It’s already been a month since I’ve been focused on my new albumit records loudly!”
The reactions were quick to flood in: his publication quickly garnered more than 12,500 likes and several hundred comments. “The slip-up”, “You do it on purpose, violence against women should not be taken with such lightness and irony, it’s not FUNNY. Absolute support for the victims.”, “This is the WORST press release I have ever seen. and I weigh my words”or even “The end of the letter is not necessary when dealing with such a complex subject” we could read. Despite everything, Naps was able to count on his always loyal fans to support him: “Team NAPS!”, “Your whole community is with you, good luck”, “I believe you are innocent”, “We believe you brothercome back strong”…
Naps mass and exam
In August 2024, Naps was indicted in another case for rape and sexual assault charges filed by three other adult women in the Var. These accusations further add to the seriousness of his legal case. These new complaints were filed shortly before a concert he was to give in Fréjus, and which he was therefore forced to cancel. Naps continues to strongly deny the facts.
His lawyer, Me Nabil Boudi, reaffirmed the artist’s position and insisted that Naps will surrender “with complete peace of mind” at his trial. According to him, the rapper maintained this attitude throughout the investigation, determined to defend his innocence in the face of the accusations. The evolution of these cases still remains uncertain, but the rapper says he is ready to face justice to assert his version of the facts.
Naps remains presumed innocent of the charges against him until his trial.
