French “Afro Trap” rapper MHD was handed a 12-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of killing a 23-year-old man in Paris in 2018. According to Sky News, the rapper, whose real name is Mohamed Sylla, was found to have been part of a group of people who fatally assaulted Loic K.
Five other individuals implicated in the murder also received prison sentences ranging between 10 and 18 years. The court, however, acquitted three defendants. In the wake of his conviction, MHD released a statement reiterating he was innocent.
“From the beginning, I have maintained my innocence in this case and I will continue to maintain my innocence,” the 29-year-old said, per AFP.
The victim is said to have died after a black Mercedes Benz vehicle struck him before he was assaulted and stabbed by several people. And though MHD claimed he wasn’t involved in the fatal assault, footage that was taken by a resident confirmed the vehicle belonged to the rapper.
AFP also reported that other witnesses used his haircut and jumper to pin him to the crime scene.