What sickness does Vybz Kartel have? Health issues explored as Dancehall star is freed from prison after 13 years

Dancehall star, Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Azim Palmer, was released after spending 13 years in prison. He was arrested in 2011, and convicted of murder on March 14, 2014. He had been in prison ever since, until Wednesday, July 31, 2024, when the court decided against a retrial.

The bench came to the decision after learning that Palmer wouldn't be able to serve a longer sentence due to his poor health. According to Complex, Vybz Kartel suffers from Graves disease and has a serious heart condition. The Mayo Clinic stated that Graves disease is an autoimmune system condition. It affects the thyroid gland and causes the body to make excess thyroid hormone.

The musician was released after his lawyer claimed that keeping someone behind bars in such a condition would be “inhumane.” His legal team also claimed that he was living in conditions that caused his health to worsen. They stated that there was a lack of air circulation inside the cell and almost no water supply.

Hence, the court declared that “the appellants are freed,” adding that Palmer's condition could worsen if he spent more time in custody.

Vybz Kartel was found guilty of the 2011 murder of Clive "Lizard" Williams in 2014 and was sentenced to life imprisonment. However, nearly 13 years after the sentencing, Kartel was released.

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“His neck was swollen”: Details explored as Vybz Kartel’s lawyer explains his condition

Vybz Kartel was released from jail on Thursday after spending 13 years behind bars for a murder that took place in 2011. The 49-year-old dancehall star suffers from Graves disease and has a serious heart condition, which was taken into account while deciding his release.

The musician's team spoke to Fox 5 and described his condition, stating that his neck and face were swollen

"His neck was swollen, if you think of a shirt that is about 18.5 inches in the neck area, you couldn't close the collar on his neck and that's how bad it is at this moment. His face is actually swollen. And one other thing. He always wears glasses; in this condition, that causes his eyes to protrude," they said.

In a sworn medical document produced before the court in 2023, the musician's doctors also stated that his condition could worsen if he did not get surgery soon. The doctors mentioned that his condition could be fatal if not treated properly.

Human rights attorney Isat Buchanan also stated that he was in a cell that was similar to a "brick oven," as they were built with nearly no ventilation.

"He's in a cell, and if you can picture a brick oven because that's how those cells are built, the ventilation is next to none," Isat said.

It is also worth noting that the trial was the longest in the history of Jamaica, as it lasted for 64 days. At the end of the trial, the musician was sentenced to serve at least 30 to 35 years in prison.

Meanwhile, his co-defendants were sentenced to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison. Along with Palmer, the court also freed his three co-defendants, Shawn Campbell, Kahira Jones, and Andre St. John.

As the news of Kartel being released from prison made its way to social media, netizens wished the musician a speedy recovery. At the moment, Vybz Kartel has not addressed his release after 13 years.