Europe (Washington Insider Magazine) – Renowned Malian singer Rokia Traoré has been imprisoned in Belgium following her extradition from Italy over an ongoing child custody dispute.
Legal Battle and Arrest
The 50-year-old musician was arrested in June at Rome’s Fiumicino airport under a European arrest warrant. Her extradition was finalized last week after her appeal was rejected. Traoré now faces a two-year prison sentence for parental abduction after being convicted in absentia last October.
The case dates back to 2020 when she was first detained in France for failing to comply with a Belgian court order to hand over her daughter to the child’s Belgian father, Jan Goossens. After her conditional release, she defied travel restrictions and flew to Mali, where her daughter has lived since infancy.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
Traoré’s lawyer, Vincent Lurquin, stated that she intends to appeal her conviction, which could lead to a retrial. Both Traoré and Goossens are reportedly seeking a resolution in the child’s best interest to avoid further legal penalties.
Global Support and Advocacy
Mali’s government previously defended Traoré, citing her diplomatic passport. A celebrated artist, Traoré has won multiple awards, including the BBC Award for World Music, and has been a UN goodwill ambassador advocating for refugees.
As the legal case unfolds, her fate remains uncertain, with supporters calling for a fair resolution in the custody battle.
