R&B artist Chris Brown was recently detained by UK authorities in connection to an alleged bottle attack that occurred in 2023. Brown had just arrived in the country for a scheduled tour when police arrested him at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester, where he was expected to perform later this month.
According to a Metropolitan Police spokesperson, “A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody where he remains. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023. The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.”
This case centers around an alleged incident at Tape nightclub, during which Brown is accused of assaulting music producer Abe Diaw.
So far, neither Brown nor his representatives have made any public statements regarding the arrest. It also remains unclear whether the legal proceedings will impact his tour schedule.
Back in 2023, Diaw filed a lawsuit claiming Brown had caused him “severe and lasting injuries” by “beating him over the head” with a tequila bottle. The complaint also accuses Brown of “ruthlessly” stomping on Diaw’s head while he was unconscious on the ground. Additionally, Diaw alleged that Brown had “spread false rumors” about him after the event.
It is still unknown whether the legal dispute between Brown and Diaw has been resolved. Reports at the time indicated that police had attempted to interview Brown regarding the assault, but he had left the UK before that could happen.
Brown has a history of legal trouble in the UK. He was previously barred from entering the country after being convicted of assaulting Rihanna. That ban lasted over ten years and was lifted in 2020 by then-Home Secretary Priti Patel. The government did not provide a public explanation for reversing the ban.
Since being allowed to return, Brown has performed in the UK several times, including a surprise appearance at a WizKid concert in 2021 and multiple tour stops in the years following.
