Tangier Court of Appeal Reduces Sentence for Rapper 'Maes'

The case of French-Moroccan rapper Walid Georgey, artistically known as "Maes", has seen a significant judicial development after the Criminal Chamber of the Tangier Court of Appeal, in the early hours of Friday, November 6, 2026, ruled to reduce his sentence from seven years of imprisonment to one year of effective imprisonment, in a criminal case related to attempted kidnapping and settling of scores.

The appellate decision also included other defendants in the case, as the sentence of Mourad Lahrech was reduced from ten years to four years of imprisonment, while sentences of one year of effective imprisonment were issued against three other defendants, and one and a half years against an additional defendant.

The case stems from a dispute between the artist and another individual regarding concert revenues, before the events escalated, according to trial data, into accusations of planning to kidnap the target in Marrakech and enlisting individuals suspected of involvement in criminal activities.

Security services had thwarted the attempted assault and arrested a number of suspects, while "Maes" was arrested at Mohammed V Airport in Casablanca in January 2025, upon his arrival from Dubai.

The defendants in the case were prosecuted on serious charges including forming a criminal gang, attempted intentional homicide, kidnapping, detention, and possession of weapons without legal justification, in addition to charges related to international drug trafficking.

The initial verdict issued on November 25, 2025, had sentenced the artist to seven years in prison, before the court reconsidered the sentences during the appellate stage.