TUNIS: A Tunisian rapper jailed for two years for a song in which he insulted the police will be freed on appeal, to the relief of his supporters who hailed yesterday’s ruling as a victory for freedom of expression.
Ala Yaacoubi, who goes by the rap name Weld El 15, was imprisoned on June 13 for a song he wrote called The Police are Dogs, and the Tunis court of appeal yesterday reduced the jail term to a six-month suspended sentence, allowing him to go free.
“It’s a victory for freedom and democracy, for Weld El 15 who did nothing wrong but made a work of art,” attorney Ghazi Mrabet, who used the singer’s rap name, said following the court’s verdict. As the ruling was announced, shouts of joy erupted outside of the court of appeal in Tunis where friends and supporters of the rapper had gathered. “Freedom for Weld El 15!” they shouted.
“After being shaken by a great wave of concern, today’s verdict is a relief for us. It has given reassurance,” said Thameur Mekki, who heads the rapper’s support group.
The 25-year-old musician was to be freed from the prison in a suburb of the capital where he has been held since his conviction by the court of first instance last month. AFP
