Post by king777 on Nov 4, 2008 14:29:19 GMT -5
Syrian singer George Wassouf released from custody
By Patricia Khoder, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Last updated: November 04, 2008, 21:40
Stockholm: A Swedish court has released Syrian singer George Wassouf from police custody pending the outcome of a drug investigation.
The 47-year-old singer and another man, Joseph Karabet, were arrested after police say they found cocaine at Wassouf's hotel room in central Stockholm on Saturday.
Karabet was also released. Prosecutors will now continue the investigation before filing charges.
Wassouf looked distressed as he left a Stockholm courthouse Tuesday. He told reporters he had been "framed" and would prove his innocence in court.
Wassouf was arrested in Sweden at the weekend on drug charges just hours before he was due to perform a concert, police said.
According to Aftonbladet, thousands of people had bought tickets to see the singer perform at a newly opened venue in the Stockholm suburb of Solna.
According to the online version of daily Aftonbladet, Wassouf was in possession of 30g of cocaine when he was arrested.
Wassouf is one of the most successful Arab singers and known for his non-conformism and his excessive lifestyle.
A week ago, Wassouf's bodyguards thrashed singer and composer Ziad Borgi.
The singer, who was Wassouf's host, suffered from several bruises and lodged a complaint against one of the bodyguards.
Hours later, Wassouf claimed that he did not know what happened and that he was singing when "the misunderstanding" occurred.
Later on, he made up with Borgi over a breakfast meeting.
Wassouf, who moved to Lebanon as a child, is a star in the Arab world with more than 30 albums to his name.
By Patricia Khoder, Staff Reporter, Gulf News
Last updated: November 04, 2008, 21:40
Stockholm: A Swedish court has released Syrian singer George Wassouf from police custody pending the outcome of a drug investigation.
The 47-year-old singer and another man, Joseph Karabet, were arrested after police say they found cocaine at Wassouf's hotel room in central Stockholm on Saturday.
Karabet was also released. Prosecutors will now continue the investigation before filing charges.
Wassouf looked distressed as he left a Stockholm courthouse Tuesday. He told reporters he had been "framed" and would prove his innocence in court.
Wassouf was arrested in Sweden at the weekend on drug charges just hours before he was due to perform a concert, police said.
According to Aftonbladet, thousands of people had bought tickets to see the singer perform at a newly opened venue in the Stockholm suburb of Solna.
According to the online version of daily Aftonbladet, Wassouf was in possession of 30g of cocaine when he was arrested.
Wassouf is one of the most successful Arab singers and known for his non-conformism and his excessive lifestyle.
A week ago, Wassouf's bodyguards thrashed singer and composer Ziad Borgi.
The singer, who was Wassouf's host, suffered from several bruises and lodged a complaint against one of the bodyguards.
Hours later, Wassouf claimed that he did not know what happened and that he was singing when "the misunderstanding" occurred.
Later on, he made up with Borgi over a breakfast meeting.
Wassouf, who moved to Lebanon as a child, is a star in the Arab world with more than 30 albums to his name.