Ali B’s Appeal Trial Begins: A Recap of the Case
Ali B, the 44-year-old rapper and television presenter, is back in court as his appeal trial commenced today, March 24, 2026.1 Both he and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) appealed the initial verdict, leading to the retrial.
The Initial Verdict and Sentencing
On July 12, 2024, Ali B was sentenced to two years in prison for rape and attempted rape by the Haarlem court.2 But, he was acquitted of two counts of assault.2
The Allegations
The case stemmed from allegations made by three women. Ali B was accused of four crimes: two counts of rape and two counts of assault.3 The court found the testimony regarding the rape of one woman, Naomi and the attempted rape of singer Ellen ten Damme to be credible.4
Points of Contention in the Appeal
The Public Prosecution Service is seeking a conviction for the assaults and the rape of Ellen ten Damme, despite the initial acquittal on those charges.2 Ali B, is hoping for a complete acquittal.2
Trial Schedule
The Amsterdam court will hear the case over three days: today, Thursday, and Monday. Today’s session focuses on the facts of the case and the personal circumstances of Ali B, with the alleged victims having the opportunity to speak.1
Previous Testimony Details
Naomi testified that the incident occurred at a writers’ camp in Heiloo in 2018, where Ali B unexpectedly entered a bedroom during a sexual encounter with another man and committed the assault.4 The court deemed her statement reliable, supported by witness testimony. Another allegation involved a sexual assault on the same woman on a bench at the same camp, but the court lacked sufficient evidence for a conviction.
Ellen ten Damme alleged an attempted rape during recordings for the television program Ali B and the Music Caravan in Morocco in 2014.4