02/07/2009
Algerian rai superstar Cheb Mami, aka Mohammed Khalifati, entered a French courtroom around 10 am Thursday (June 2nd) for what could be a one-day assault trial. Mami is accused of a forced-abortion attempt on his ex-girlfriend in 2005.
Mami, who has been jailed since his arrest Monday evening upon arrival in Paris, appeared pale and shed tears during the first questions, L'Express reported. Asked about why he left France to return to Algeria in 2007 after posting bond of 200,000 euros, he said, "My mother was sick, I missed my family." He added, "I made a mistake."
"In my head, I always said I would be there the day of reckoning," Mami told the court. He faces up to ten years in prison and a 150,000-euro fine.