Latest news with #RamseyKhalidIsmael
South China Morning Post
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Johnny Somali's trial in South Korea highlights rising concern over ‘nuisance influencers'
The trial of an American content creator whose disruptive and culturally insensitive acts sparked outrage in South Korea has fuelled calls for sterner responses to these so-called nuisance influencers. Johnny Somali, whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, has been barred from leaving South Korea and faces seven charges, including obstruction of business and violations of the Minor Offences Act, according to local media. Ismael's earlier charges were relatively minor but at his second hearing on May 16, he faced two serious charges of creating pornographic deepfakes, each carrying a maximum penalty of 10½ years. The 24-year-old pleaded guilty to the five minor charges and not guilty to the sex charges. His next trial hearing is scheduled for August 13. Among the actions he has been charged with are brandishing a dead fish on the subway, kissing a statue commemorating Korean World War II sex slaves as well as holding up a Japanese 'Rising Sun' flag and calling the disputed Liancourt Rocks by their Japanese name of Takeshima. The sex charges have to do with AI-generated deepfake pornographic videos featuring Ismael and a female South Korean live-streamer.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Why is Johnny Somali facing 31-year prison sentence in South Korea? Full list of charges explained
Johnny Somali, the popular streamer whose real name is Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is under legal fire in South Korea with a new sex crime charge that could potentially land him up to 31 years in prison. This latest accusation adds to the growing list of legal troubles surrounding the American content creator, whose provocative behaviour while streaming overseas has frequently attracted controversy and scrutiny from authorities. Also Read: Meteorologist Mark Johnson exits News 5 Cleveland: What really happened? Previously banned from Japan and Israel, the streamer visited South Korea in 2024, where he displayed provocative behaviour as he harassed local people, disrupted businesses and challenged other streamers only to provoke them. He even got knocked out by a former Korean Navy SEAL officer during one of his antics, while the officer was fined for assault. His woes began with allegations that he distributed a deepfake video showing him kissing popular Korean streamer BongBong. According to Legal Mindset, a YouTube lawyer, a second deepfake charge has now been filed against Somali, possibly involving other prominent Korean figures with whom he had previously clashed online. In South Korea, the distribution of deepfake videos is treated as a sex crime, and each count results in 10.5 years in prison, as reported by The Express Tribune. Also Read: Karoline Leavitt gets brutally mocked for 'Carla Hayden inappropriate books' remark Johnny Somali has already pleaded guilty on one count of Obstruction of Business, which carries 5 years alone and was charged for the same count a second time. Thus, adding up to his prior charges, he currently faces a possible 31 years of sentence in prison if found guilty. In addition to the deepfake charges, Johnny Somali is facing a series of serious allegations, including threats to spread HIV, promoting North Korean propaganda, and breaching anti-terrorism laws. These claims have yet to result in formal charges, but they remain under active investigation by South Korean authorities.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Johnny Somali faces mandatory prison time in South Korea over AI deepfake charge
Controversial streamer Johnny Somali, real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael, is facing a mandatory prison sentence in South Korea after authorities added a new charge to his case. A legal expert claims the latest offense ensures jail time, as it carries no option for a fine. The streamer, notorious for disruptive behavior, has faced multiple charges, including Obstruction of Business and violations of the Minor Crimes Act. His actions have included causing disturbances in public places, using a dead fish to harass passengers, and twerking on a subway. Now, a fifth charge has been merged into his case—a violation of South Korea's Special Act on Sexual Violence Crimes due to an AI deepfake video. The video allegedly depicted Korean streamer BongBong in a fabricated intimate scene with Ismael, an act that under Korean law is classified as a sex crime. Legal analyst Legal Mindset revealed on March 27 that this charge ensures a prison sentence of up to seven years since it involved the distribution of explicit AI-generated content for profit. 'In South Korean law, distributing AI content without consent is illegal, and if it involves intimate acts, it qualifies as sexual,' the lawyer explained. Somali, who appeared in court drunk and wearing a MAGA hat on March 7, is set for another hearing on April 9. His case has sparked widespread backlash, with critics calling for harsher penalties against online harassment and AI deepfake abuse.
