One of Africa's biggest music stars is due in court this week to face charges of aiding illegal immigration. If found guilty he could face up to ten years in jail and a 750,000 Euro fine.
Congolese singer Papa Wemba is accused of procuring visas for his fellow nationals, enabling them to enter France under the guise of being members of his road crew. Wemba allegedly charged Congolese nationals $4500 a time in order to secure a visa.
French authorities became suspicious in 2000 when he arrived with a musical entourage in excess of 200 people, many of whom did not carry musical instruments. They arrested him in Paris early last year and the singer admitted he accepted money to help Congolese nationals into France, but claimed he did it for humanitarian reasons. He was initially jailed while waiting for a court hearing on the charges, but after four months was granted a conditional release - he has subsequently continued to perform both in France and abroad.
Wemba is expected to attend the court hearing in Paris, which will assess the charges - as are many supporters of the Sapeurs religious cult, which Wemba converted to while in jail.
Once the Paris hearing is concluded, and assuming the singer isn't put back in prison, Wemba will go on to face similar charges in Belgium where he holds citizenship.