Johnny Somali Could Be Facing Even More Jail Time

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Summary

  • Former YouTube streamer Johnny Somali faces increased jail time in South Korea due to potential new charges.
  • Confiscation of Somali’s phone by South Korean authorities due to deepfake concerns could lead to serious legal consequences.
  • If found guilty of current charges, Somali could face up to 22 years in jail, showcasing the severity of his legal situation in South Korea.

As a seasoned movie critic who has witnessed the rise and fall of many controversial characters, I must say that the tale of Johnny Somali is reminiscent of a never-ending action flick, filled with twists, turns, and a whole lot of drama.

Previously popular live-streamer Johnny Somali finds himself in deeper trouble, potentially facing additional jail time in South Korea. This content creator, who has been barred from YouTube, Kickstarter, and Twitch, has resided in South Korea since September and may not be departing soon, regardless of whether he is found innocent of all allegations.

Johnny Somali, otherwise known as Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is a popular streamer who often finds himself in controversial situations during his travels abroad. His actions have earned him a less-than-favorable reputation among locals, leading to travel bans in places like Tel Aviv (50 days) and Japan. In Japan, he disrupted businesses and shouted provocative words such as “Fukushima,” which further aggravated the locals, resulting in another travel ban. However, it appears that his initial assumption of facing similar consequences in South Korea may be unfounded.

As reported by Legal Mindset, who’s been tracking the case, authorities in South Korea have seized Johnny Somali’s phone. This is because of concerns raised by Legal Mindset that Somali seems quite apprehensive, given his past sharing of an AI-generated deepfake image depicting him kissing a Korean streamer named Bongbong. Although Bongbong opted not to file charges, there’s speculation South Korea could still be probing Somali’s phone for additional proof. Deepfakes using AI were recently made illegal in South Korea.

What Happens if Johnny Somali Has Deepfakes on His Phone?

In South Korea, an anti-deepfake law was recently enacted in September. This law imposes a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of approximately 26 million won (around $22,000 USD) for individuals who possess deepfakes within the country. The sharing or distribution of deepfakes, as Somali did by broadcasting the image, carries an even stricter penalty. Legal experts in Korea have suggested that Somali’s phone was likely confiscated due to the possibility of additional, seriously investigated charges against him.

Before this latest development, Somali had been looking at a possible extended prison term if found guilty of the charges against him. The original charge, obstruction of business, carries a maximum sentence of five years. Additionally, he was being investigated for drug possession, which could result in a ten-year sentence. If all three charges were to be combined, he could potentially spend up to 22 years behind bars in South Korean prisons – a significantly harsher punishment compared to what he has faced elsewhere for his actions.

Regardless, we won’t learn the results of Somali’s trial for quite some time now, as it has been rescheduled to March 2025 from its initial December date. Previous reports suggest that trials in South Korea can last a minimum of a month, so it might be mid-2025 or even later before Somali finds out his destiny.

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2024-12-19 02:23