Aladdin Al-Yacoubi, aka Weld El 15, was on the loose, wanted and sentenced to two years in prison for a rap song in which he cursed policemen. Over the course of three months, Al-Yacoubi constantly changed his home and mobile phone numbers to avoid arrest.

The day before turning himself in on June 13, Al-Yacoubi spoke to Correspondents, despite his concerns of “media interference” in his case.  He is now in prison, certain that his supporters and justice will set him free.

Mr. Weld El 15, will you tell us about your case?

Aladdin Al-Yacoubi, aka Weld El 15, was on the loose, wanted and sentenced to two years in prison for a rap song in which he cursed policemen. Over the course of three months, Al-Yacoubi constantly changed his home and mobile phone numbers to avoid arrest.

The day before turning himself in on June 13, Al-Yacoubi spoke to Correspondents, despite his concerns of “media interference” in his case.  He is now in prison, certain that his supporters and justice will set him free.

Mr. Weld El 15, will you tell us about your case?

My case is simple. I published a rap song online entitled ‘Policemen Are Dogs’ on March 2. Eight days later, I became one of the most wanted people in the country.

Ironically, I was accused of very serious charges.  Some of those whom I thanked for helping me produce the clip were arrested.

Now, I know how to get rid of those whom I do not like; I will thank them in my next songs.

I created nothing when I produced my song. I am simply a photographer who took a picture of the reality and published it without using any image enhancement techniques.

You spent four months on the run. What drives you to turn yourself in tomorrow and attend the court?

Actually, I have found that many support my case, including an ad hoc committee, which is doing a great job. In addition, my defense team has convinced me that in case there is a fair trial, I will be released. This is why I have decided to show up at the court and bear all the consequences. Besides, through the verdict, I will learn how far we have managed to ensure freedom of expression and whether or not we had a real revolution.

You said you were threatened many times. How serious were the threats?

I have been threatened with murder and many other things by policemen. I believe the death threats are not serious; they only aim at confusing me and a mere violent reaction by a police force that has not yet gotten rid of its chronic diseases.

A policeman responded to you, also through a rap song. Does this suggest a changed way of dealing with you?

I am glad for that because I have created a cultural revolution inside the stiff and hyper-disciplinary police force. It is a good thing that a policeman has taken off his hat with all its perceived symbols of repression and dictatorship and chosen to engage with me in a lyrical dialogue.

I have had bad experiences with the police, which have made me hold a great deal of grudge and hatred against them. When people are treated like animals inside detention centers and during interrogation, it is natural that they feel hatred towards the police.

Policemen should be glad because I have managed to turn my anger into a work of art. I have never thrown a stone against any police station or thought of burning it. And instead of encouraging me for refusing to be violent, I am severely punished.

While you were on the loose, you released two songs in which you kept on criticizing policemen and politicians. Are not you afraid that this might affect the course of your trial?

I believe it is natural. No one is immune. In one of these songs, I call upon the judiciary to start prosecuting corrupt policemen before it tries an artist. I also say that Tunisia is not a state of law, which is an accepted truth for me.

I am no longer afraid that my case is politicized since this has already happened and is no longer avoidable. I will say something for the first time: had it not been politicized and had I not become a scapegoat, my song would have never been so popular. The number of viewers of my clip on YouTube is more than a million now.

I believe they are intentionally exaggerating my case as well as other cases, the latest of which is Amina Femen, in order to distract public opinion from other high-risk cases the political power does not want to reach the public opinion.

Hundreds of Tunisian rap songs that curse the police more sharply than my song have passed off without any fuss.

How have civil society and human rights organizations interacted with your case?

I have received a great deal of support since my case is concerned with freedom of expression. Although some members of the support committee disagree with me on many things, including my way of expression, I believe what unites us is the fact that we are fighting for freedom of opinion and expression. Besides, difference is normal.

I have not asked for the support of anyone. I only demand that society defends itself. If I have been silenced, everyone will be doomed to silence.

Your songs then do not convey political messages?

I do not pretend that I am a committed artist. In fact, I have no message whatsoever. All what I do is that I convey reality as I live it and how it is lived by the majority of the youth. I have no recommendations or advice for anyone, and I do not want to be a role model.

I give my art the opportunity to see the world from my perspective. Then, everyone is free to choose how to react, whether positively or negatively.

You had an opportunity to leave the country and get political asylum.

I want to finish what I have started. I am not a coward to run away from my country. They have decided on behalf of me to engage me in the political conflict and I will face my destiny.

Do you want to send a message to your supporters and the politicians?

I call upon everyone to cling to his rights. The gains of the January 14 revolution are in great danger and there are efforts to re-make everyone obedient where we can only talk about how beautiful the weather is and about birds singing.

As for the government and the police, I believe my message to them has arrived. However, I have other messages to them. I refuse to be subjected to any pressures. I am a rebellious person, especially against any law, I believe it deprives me of having the opportunity to live as I want.

I know they are drafting a new Constitution, but honestly, those who are drafting it do not raise optimism that it will ensure freedoms. Furthermore, Ennahda is a marketing movement that sells illusions and hides behind religion.