Post by : Meena Ariff

The American rapper Wiz Khalifa has been sentenced to a nine-month prison term by a Romanian court due to a drug-related incident during a music festival last year. This decision comes after the situation gained significant media attention, especially given the rapper's notable public persona.

Cameron Jibril Thomaz, known professionally as Wiz Khalifa, was convicted for possessing cannabis without legal authorization. The incident took place in July 2024 during the “Beach, Please!” festival in Costinești, a popular Romanian seaside location. Reports revealed that Khalifa had over 18 grams of cannabis on him and was seen using it during his performance.

In response to the controversy, Khalifa publicly stated that he did not intend to offend Romanian laws or its citizens. He expressed his gratitude toward local authorities for their professionalism during the incident and regretted any misunderstandings arising from his actions on stage.

The Constanța Court of Appeal, which announced the sentence, asserted that this ruling aims to deter similar offenses in the future. The court remarked on the potential impact of celebrity behavior on youth, mandating that public figures be held accountable when their actions could be seen as endorsing illegal behavior.

Initially, a lower court had opted for a monetary penalty instead of incarceration, but this was contested by prosecutors, who believed that the severity of the act, together with its public visibility, required a stricter sentence. Consequently, the appeal was validated, resulting in the nine-month prison term.

As Khalifa holds American citizenship, there are ongoing questions regarding the enforcement of this sentence. Romanian authorities have yet to provide clarity on whether they will pursue extradition or if other legal avenues might be explored. The case continues to highlight Romania's stringent drug laws, which apply to all, irrespective of international fame.

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