Summary
- YouTube streamer Johnny Somali’s trial in South Korea postponed to March 7, 2025, keeping him stuck in the country.
- Unable to stream due to stay in Korea, Somali faces potential additional charges like drug possession and North Korean propaganda.
- If found guilty, Somali could face up to a ten-year sentence in a South Korean prison.
YouTube streamer Johnny Somali has gotten more bad news in South Korea, as his trial date has now been moved back several months. This change to the YouTube streamer’s legal situation could put him in a tight spot for the foreseeable future.
Johnny Somali – real name Ramsey Khalid Ismael – previously made a name for himself by streaming in numerous locations and drumming up controversy while there. Somali was previously arrested in Japan as well as Israel for his behavior, but was ultimately released with a temporary ban on returning to the locations. However, after attempting to keep up his antics in South Korea, things took a darker turn for the streamer, with Somali being arrested and now held in the country until his trial can commence.
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Previously, Johnny Somali’s case was set to be taken to trial just before Christmas, in December 2024. However, it has now been moved to March 7, 2025. Until his trial has been completed, Somali cannot leave South Korea, meaning he’ll now be stuck there for an additional three months before the trial even starts. However, speaking to Dexerto, Legal Mindset, who is following Somali’s case, said that the trial date itself is only part of the problem the streamer is facing.
Johnny Somali’s Situation Worsens
According to Legal Mindset, Somali cannot stream while he’s stuck waiting for his trial in South Korea. Technically, due to the length of his stay in the country, he would likely need a work visa in order to keep streaming. In other words, Somali can’t access his main source of income, and is in a foreign country that is largely well aware of his behavior at this point. Legal Mindset notes that if Somali is in South Korea for longer than his initial visa allowed, he’ll be issued a “litigation visa,” which specifically prohibits working of any kind, including streaming online.
For now, it remains to be seen what the future holds for the streamer. South Korea may press additional charges against Somali, as currently, the streamer is reportedly only being tried for obstruction of business and violating the Minor Crimes Act. Given his behavior in the country, it’s been speculated that he could also be charged with violating anti-terrorism laws, spreading North Korean propaganda, and even drug possession. If no more charges are added, the trial is likely to not be over until at least April 2025. However, that’s likely the least of Somali’s problems right now, as if he’s found guilty, he could end up in South Korean prison for ten years.