By Anne Losensky
Rapper Bushido and clan boss Arafat Abou-Chaker do not look at each other in the courtroom while listening to their own dispute on tape. Two hours long. Day 77 in the trial of clan chief Arafat Abou-Chaker (46).
In 2018, Arafat Abou-Chaker is said to have demanded millions from Anis “Bushido” Ferchichi (43) for the end of their business relationship, which made them both multimillionaires. It’s about attempted severe predatory extortion. The rapper is said to have been locked up, thrown at with a bottle and chair (dangerous bodily harm, deprivation of liberty, insult).
The rapper is expected to speak again after the audio recording plays. Bushido had testified for days in the past and was actually done with his testimony. Then the audio recording appeared.
The sound recording
The sound document is said to have been made secretly at the meeting between the musician and his ex-manager on January 18, 2018, which was decisive for the process.
From the point of view of the defenders of the clan boss and his brothers, the sound file refutes the depiction of Bushido. However, the musician’s lawyer doubts the authenticity of the sound document.
The magazine “Stern” initially reported on the file, and the audio file has also been available to the responsible criminal court since the beginning of February.
Arafat Abou-Chaker (shorts, sandals and striped shirt) greets his lawyer in court on Monday Photo: Olaf Wagner
► Despite the poor sound quality, the voices of the musician and the sometimes angry clan chief could be heard clearly in German and Arabic. It quickly becomes very loud and very aggressive, Bushido remains very calm. The course of the conversation is exactly as described by Bushido in the testimony.
An interpreter was commissioned by the court to translate the Arabic passages of the audio document or to compare the written translation with what was heard.
Arafat says among other things:
► “You are a person who sows discord.”
people in court
► “I saw you as a brother, that’s the difference between us.”
► “You are playing a game.”
► “You are no longer correct, you are wrong, you spit in.”
► “You are the biggest fake dog I’ve ever seen in my life.”
In the audio recording, Bushido can be heard saying: “Not everything is black and white… I’ve put everything in your hands, always, everything…”
After less than half of the alleged recording, the judge takes a break.