A Quebec judge has found rapper K’naan not guilty of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman in a Quebec City hotel room in July 2010, ruling that the court could not declare the artist guilty beyond a reasonable doubt according to court proceedings reported by regional media. The case stems from a complaint filed with Montreal police in May 2022 by a woman whose identity is protected by a publication ban.
Trial Details and Court Testimony
The complainant testified from behind a screen during the trial, detailing how she initially connected online with the artist—whose legal name is Keinan Abdi Warsame—prior to his performance at the Festival d’été de Québec in 2010. Warsame had achieved international recognition following the release of his hit track “Wavin’ Flag” the previous year. According to the woman’s testimony, she went to his hotel room at the Hilton where an argument arose over contraception, leading her to decide against sexual intercourse. She stated that Warsame became angry before appearing to accept her decision, after which they went to sleep. She later testified that she woke up in the night feeling a weight on her and realized an assault was occurring.
During his testimony in March, Warsame offered a different account of the timeline. He acknowledged meeting the complainant and corroborated certain elements, including the dispute over contraception. However, he denied attacking her while she slept, maintaining that they engaged in consensual sex only in the morning hours.
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Judge’s Ruling on Reasonable Doubt
Judge Julie Roy delivered her verdict on Wednesday, stating on the record that she did not entirely believe Warsame’s testimony. Despite finding flaws in his account, the judge emphasized that the legal threshold of proof beyond a reasonable doubt had not been met. Roy noted in her decision that both the complainant’s and the defendant’s versions of events remained plausible and consistent on several points, preventing the court from establishing guilt under criminal law standards. Following the delivery of the verdict, Warsame expressed his gratitude to the court.
Investigation Timeline and Police Involvement
The legal process unfolded more than a decade after the alleged incident took place. The complainant waited until May 2022 to officially bring the allegations to the Montreal police department. Publication bans were put in place to protect the identity of the complainant throughout the investigation and subsequent court hearings in Quebec.
| Event | Date / Period |
|---|---|
| Alleged incident at Quebec City Hilton | July 2010 |
| Complaint filed with Montreal police | May 2022 |
| Defendant’s courtroom testimony | March |
| Judge Julie Roy delivers verdict | Wednesday |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is K’naan?
K’naan is a musician and rapper, legally named Keinan Abdi Warsame, who rose to international fame following the release of his song “Wavin’ Flag.”
What was the verdict in the trial?
According to Judge Julie Roy, K’naan was found not guilty of sexual assault because the court determined the evidence did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
When did the alleged incident occur?
The events in question took place at a Hilton hotel in Quebec City in July 2010, with a police complaint filed later in May 2022.
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