Brussels (Brussels Morning) – Erhan K. the former guitarist of Praga Khan and Lords of Acid, has been sentenced to four years in prison, two of which will be suspended. He is guilty of sexual assault, rape, inhuman treatment and intentional beating of two victims. He was acquitted of deliberately beating two other women.
The criminal court of Leuven sentenced the 57-year-old musician for rape, violation of sexual integrity, intentional beating and inhuman treatment of an ex-partner. He also treated a second ex-partner inhumanely and beat him. He was acquitted of deliberately beating two other women.
How did victims describe their experiences during the trial?
Two of the victims told their stories during the trial on February 13. “They met him in the music world,” said their lawyer Christine Mussche. “He is charming, talented and charismatic. He started a relationship with the two ladies, but it did not take long for his negative sides to surface. Arguments escalated into extreme violence, often under the influence of drink and drugs.”
“It was not just about arguments, but also about punishments,” Mussche continued. “Throwing food on the ground and shoving it in their mouths, pushing out cigarettes on the women, hitting them in the face behind the wheel, nothing was too much. Once there was a leaf in his tea, so he dragged his ex by her hair throughout the house.”
Why did one victim initially hesitate to report the abuse?
The ex-partner had filed a complaint with the police in 2020. “The court ruled that the man used physical violence against her on several occasions during the relationship, including by hitting her several times and breaking her little finger, but also by shaving her pubic hair so roughly that she suffered injuries,” the press judge reports in a press release.
“In addition to the physical suffering he caused this victim, the court also discovered that he caused her serious psychological suffering at the end of the relationship to punish and dominate her.” After the victim reported the incident, a previous ex-partner of the guitarist also contacted the police. “She had previously reported it to the police, but did not want this to be followed up.”
What sentence did the prosecutor request for Praga Khan?
The prosecutor had requested an effective prison sentence of five years. “The psychological research shows a high chance of recidivism,” it said. “These are very serious facts that went on for almost seven years with four different women.”
What were the judge’s findings regarding the charges against Praga Khan?
The judge declared the charges proven against two of the four women. The guitarist was sentenced to four years in prison, half of which was suspended. He must also pay compensation of around 10,000 euros and is banned from contact with the victims.
