French rapper charged as shop assistant in coma in brand war
One of France's top rap stars has been remanded in custody and charged with assaulting a sales assistant when a feud with a rival performer over clothes brands turned violent.
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Rohff, a 36-year-old rapper who was born in the Comoros islands and whose real name is Housni Mkouboi, is accused of "premeditated" assault on the victim at a central Paris clothing store that sells clothing under his rival Booba's Ünkut brand.
The 19-year-old sales assistant was left in a coma and fighting for his life after suffering a serious head injury when he was set upon by a gang of men.
Rohff has admitted being involved in the attack, according to his lawyer Francis Terquem reported by Le Parisien newspaper, but denied knowing anyone else involved in the incident.
Rohff has been embroiled in a long-running row with Booba, a 37-year-old rapper born in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billandourt whose real name is Élie Yaffa.
"It's just sad that an innocent young 19-year-old ... who was in now way mixed up in these clashes is attacked," Booba declared on his Facebook page.
The two performers have for months been trading barbs in their songs and on social media.
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