Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Controversial broadcaster Johnny Somali is asking a South Korean court to reduce his prison sentence, arguing that he has been unable to take medication for his bipolar disorder since arriving in the country.
The Somali, whose real name is Ramzi Khalid Ismail, appeared in court on June 11 as part of an appeal against the six-month prison sentence he received earlier this year.The case has attracted widespread attention online due to the Somali’s behavior in South Korea and the legal troubles that followed. While the streamer is seeking a lighter sentence, prosecutors are pushing in the opposite direction. They want the court to reject his appeal and instead impose a longer prison sentence of three years.
A final decision is expected later this month.
Johnny Somali pleads for leniency as prosecutors seek three years in prison
The Somali was sentenced in April to six months in prison with hard labor after being found guilty of several offences, including obstruction of business charges, violations of the Minor Crime Act, and deepfakes-related charges. The streamer had sparked outrage during his time in South Korea, most notably after performing a dance at the Peace Statue, a memorial dedicated to victims of wartime sexual slavery.
During the appeal hearing, the Somali’s lawyer said that his client accepts responsibility for the crimes recognized by the court of first instance and regrets his actions. The lawyer said the impact of some crimes was relatively limited and noted that the victims in the fake video case did not want further punishment.The defense also emphasized the Somali’s mental health. According to his lawyer, the streamer was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in the United States and was taking medication before traveling to South Korea.
However, the lawyer claimed that the Somali was unable to continue this treatment while in the country.However, prosecutors said a harsher sentence was warranted. They reportedly told the court that the Somali had committed multiple crimes for financial gain, and noted that most of the victims had not received compensation. For this reason, they requested the same three-year prison sentence that they had originally requested during the lower court proceedings.Since his conviction was appealed, the Somali has remained in detention. Reports about his time behind bars spread online, including claims that he was responding to fan letters and describing prison life in a positive light.The court is expected to announce its decision on June 25. The ruling will determine whether the Somali will receive a reduced sentence or face a much longer period in prison.
