On Tuesday October 10, the Paris criminal court issued an arrest warrant against Walid Georgey, alias Maes, a French rapper based in Dubai who did not appear in person at the trial where he was to appear for punching dating from 2018.
“The court had requested the personal appearance of Mr. Walid Georgey,” insisted the president of the 13th criminal chamber, Guillaume Daïeff, to justify the court’s decision which “considers that his excuses are not valid.”
The artist’s lawyer, Me Diane de Condé, reiterated that the law allowed the defendant to be represented at his trial and pleaded for the court to judge the case in his absence. “He is not here to avoid his responsibilities (…) It is not necessary to issue an arrest warrant,” she assured, detailing the “professional reasons” which kept her client in Dubai where he has lived since 2020: a “showcase” Monday evening and several days of recording in the studio this week.
Punches in the face
“You don’t rent a studio on the day you have to appear in court, he knew that his presence was essential,” said the prosecutor, who was opposed to the court judging the case without him. The trial was postponed until June 5, 2024 and pending the hearing, the court issued an arrest warrant, in accordance with the requests of the public prosecutor.
Maes, 28, who is free (without judicial supervision) must be tried for violence in a meeting leading to six days of ITT (temporary incapacity for work), leaving a studio in September 2018 in Paris. The rapper from Villepinte (Seine-Saint-Denis) has since compensated the victim who he had punched in the face. The amount of the transaction was not disclosed. The victim has since withdrawn her complaint and has not filed a civil claim, which does not, however, extinguish the legal proceedings against the rapper.
Maes, who has released five albums, is due to give a concert in Paris, at Bercy, on February 16, 2024.