The rapper MHD, star of "afro-rap", is indicted for "intentional homicide" and had been remanded in custody for a year and a half. The appeals court accepted his release on July 16, the artist confirmed on Twitter on Thursday. It was his first post on the social network since 2019.

The star of "afro-trap", rapper MHD, indicted for "intentional homicide" and in pre-trial detention for a year and a half before his release under judicial supervision on July 16, has been released by the court. 'call, AFP learned Thursday from corroborating sources. "To put out any false information, I confirm that the Court of Appeal has finally accepted my release. I will not speak on the case and will continue to fight to demonstrate my innocence," tweeted the artist, his first post on this social network since January 2019. 

To extinguish any false information, I confirm that the Court of Appeal has finally accepted my release. I will not speak on the matter and will continue to fight to demonstrate my innocence. I thank my lawyers @ EliseArfi @ antoinevey & my relatives for their support

- MHD (@MHDOfficiel) July 23, 2020

"Judicial control is confirmed by the investigating chamber. The investigations will continue," his lawyer, Me Elise Arfi, told AFP. A judicial source confirmed to AFP this decision of the investigative chamber of the Paris Court of Appeal, which examined Thursday an appeal by the Paris prosecutor's office against the order for release under judicial supervision of MHD taken on the 7th. July by a judge of freedoms and detention. After this order, the artist was released on July 16, at the expiration of his arrest warrant. If the investigating chamber invalidated this order, MHD risked returning to detention. 

Settlement of accounts

MHD is the self-proclaimed inventor of the "afro-trap", a mixture of rap and African music. He is known in particular for a hit to the glory of PSG, and appreciated by Madonna or Drake. His career came to a halt in January 2019 when he was indicted for "intentional homicide" and imprisoned in a case of alleged settling of accounts between rival gangs of the 10th and 19th arrondissements of Paris.

On the night of July 5 to 6, 2018, Loïc K., 23, was run over by a car, beaten up and then stabbed in the 10th arrondissement of the capital. A dozen people attacked him, a scene filmed by a witness from a window. The man very quickly died of his injuries. At least three witnesses have formally identified MHD, according to elements of the investigation known to AFP. The artist disputes the facts.