Chris Brown has been granted bail of $6.7 million US after being charged with an alleged nightclub attack in London dating back to February 2023.
The singer, who was arrested in Manchester last week, can now continue his previously scheduled European tour under specific bail conditions.
A British judge initially ordered Brown to be held without bail due to the severity of the allegations against him, Rolling Stone reports. According to reports, Brown is accused of beating music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw with a tequila bottle and then stomping on him during an altercation at a London nightclub. The incident allegedly resulted in Diaw being hospitalised and subsequently filing a $16 million lawsuit against the singer.
However, at a hearing on Wednesday morning, a judge approved Brown’s release on bail with strict conditions. The R&B artist must post £4 million (approximately $5.4 million US) immediately, followed by an additional £1 million (about $1.3 million US) within seven days.
Brown was not present at the bail hearing and has not yet entered a plea regarding the charges. The case’s next hearing was originally scheduled for 13th June but has been moved to 20th June to accommodate Brown’s concert in Frankfurt, Germany. This new date falls between the singer’s planned UK tour stops.
As part of his bail conditions, Brown must surrender his passport (except when touring), reside at a specific address known to the court, avoid contacting Diaw, and not visit the London nightclub where the alleged assault occurred, the BBC reports.
Following his release, Brown took to Instagram to celebrate his freedom, posting a story that read: “FROM THE CAGE TO THE STAGE!!!”
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In October 2023, Diaw filed a lawsuit against Brown, alleging that the singer had “beaten him over the head” with a tequila bottle and “ruthlessly” stomped on him during their encounter at the London venue. Diaw’s legal action claims he sustained “lacerations on his head and torn ligaments in his leg” and suffered “serious and permanent emotional distress and trauma” as a result of the attack.
The case has also implicated rapper and Brown associate HoodyBaby, who was arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent for his alleged involvement in the February 2023 incident.
Brown’s European tour is scheduled to begin on June 8th in Amsterdam, with several UK dates to follow later in the month.
