SEOUL, April 15 (AJP) - American YouTuber Johnny Somali, who stirred controversy with a series of bizarre behaviors including insulting a statue in central Seoul symbolizing victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery, was sentenced to a prison term on Tuesday.
The Seoul Western District Court handed down a six-month prison term along with 20 days of detention to Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, on charges including obstruction of business and the distribution of false information through graphic photos and provocative images.
The court also banned him from being hired by institutions related to children, adolescents, and people with disabilities for five years.
Wednesday's ruling came after prosecutors in February sought a three-year prison sentence for his offenses including kissing the statue, causing disturbances on public buses and subways, and streaming obscene videos online in 2024, among others.
"He was found guilty of all charges," the court said, adding that he repeatedly committed crimes for personal profit through online platforms, calling them as a "serious disregard for South Korean law and order."
The court, however, exercised some leniency in its sentencing, taking into consideration that he had been unable to return to his home country for an extended period under a travel ban.
Somali told the court that he regretted his actions and wanted to apologize to the South Korean public.
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