Chris Brown Released on Bail Amid Assault Charges
LONDON — Grammy-winning artist Chris Brown has been granted bail of £5 million (approximately $6.7 million) by a British judge while facing serious allegations of assault. The charges stem from an incident earlier this year at a nightclub in London, where Brown is accused of attacking music producer Abe Diaw with a bottle.
A judge at Southwark Crown Court made this decision, allowing Brown to resume his world tour, which had come into question after he was initially held in custody following the assault charges. Judge Tony Baumgartner stated that Brown would need to pay the bail to ensure his return for future court appearances.
Scheduled to appear in court again on June 13, Brown was at risk of missing at least two tour dates if he remained in custody. The 36-year-old star faces claims that he launched an unprovoked attack on Diaw at the Tape nightclub in the upscale Mayfair area back in February 2023.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls noted that the alleged assault, which was captured on surveillance footage, showed Brown striking Diaw multiple times with a bottle before further attacking him with punches and kicks in front of numerous witnesses.
Additionally, Omololu Akinlolu, a fellow American musician known as "Hoody Baby" and a friend of Brown, has also been charged in connection with the incident. Both men have yet to enter a plea and are scheduled to appear in court again on June 20.
Chris Brown, who gained fame as a teenager in 2005, has won multiple accolades including Grammy Awards for his albums. His upcoming tour is set to begin on June 8 in Amsterdam, followed by performances in North America starting in July.
