The African singer Papa Wemba, known as the king of rumba, was found guilty on Tuesday of involvement in a people smuggling network which brought hundreds of Congolese into France, disguised as band members.
A Paris court sentenced him to 30 months and fined him 10 000 euros for helping immigrants illegally obtain visas by passing them off as band members. Most of the term was suspended and Wemba, who spent three months in jail last year, will not have to serve extra time.
Wemba (55) had admitted playing a small role. His punishment was lighter than the five-year term prosecutors wanted, and was greeted with delight from fans, who hoisted him on to their shoulders and carried him outside, where he said the verdict let him ”breathe again”.
The network is thought to have brought hundreds of immigrants at a time into France and Belgium, charging them about 3 072 euros each for false papers. Police became suspicious when a large group of people claiming they were band members arrived in Paris with no instruments, costumes, or indeed any baggage at all. – Guardian Unlimited Â