Chris Brown has been arrested and charged in the U.K.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed to USA TODAY on May 15 that Brown was arrested at a Manchester hotel just after 2 a.m. and charged with grievous bodily harm with intent. He remains in custody and appeared in Manchester Magistrates’ Court May 16.
In court, prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said Brown committed an “unprovoked attack with a weapon in a nightclub full of people” in 2023. A judge remanded Brown into custody ahead of his next appearance at London’s Southwark Crown Court on June 13.
USA TODAY reached out to Brown’s representatives for comment.
Metropolitan Police previously noted that “the arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square (London)” from Feb. 19, 2023. “The investigation is being led by detectives from the Central West Area Basic Command Unit.”
The Crown Prosecution Service, a government agency overseeing criminal prosecutions, confirmed Brown’s arrest in a May 15 press release.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial,” the agency said. “It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Chris Brown UK arrest related to Abe Diaw’s lawsuit allegations
Police confirmed the arrest is related to an alleged 2023 assault, as described in a lawsuit previously filed by a music producer.
In October 2023, music producer Amadou “Abe” Diaw sued Brown, 36, for allegedly “beating him over the head” with a tequila bottle at a nightclub in London, according to a Los Angeles lawsuit reviewed by USA TODAY.
Early on Feb. 19, 2023, “while traveling for his 2023 ‘Under the Influence’ Tour … (Brown) brutally assaulted (Diaw) at TAPE nightclub in London. Wielding a large bottle of Don Julio 1942 Tequila as his weapon, Brown inflicted severe and lasting injuries on (Diaw) when beating him over the head with crushing blows,” the lawsuit alleged.
“As (Diaw) lay unconscious on the floor, Brown continued to ruthlessly stomp on the defenseless (Diaw) for approximately 30 seconds. (Diaw) ended up in the hospital with lacerations on his head and torn ligaments in his leg.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Brown’s attorneys for comment.
Brown’s Breezy Bowl XX World Tour begins June 8 in Amsterdam with support from fellow R&B singer Bryson Tiller.
Chris Brown sues Warner Bros. for $500M over ‘A History of Violence’ documentary
Chris Brown arrest follows documentary legal drama
The arrest came just hours after Brown posted “Free Tory” on his Instagram story, a reference to rapper Tory Lanez, who was recently stabbed in prison as he serves a 10-year sentence for shooting at Megan Thee Stallion in 2020. And it comes months after Brown took legal action following the release of a documentary that explored his alleged history of violence.
In January, the singer-songwriter sued Warner Bros. Discovery and several others for their role in the production of “Chris Brown: A History of Violence,” a documentary film chronicling Brown’s alleged pattern of abuse. He is seeking $500 million in damages, alleging libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Brown’s star was heavily tarnished in 2009 when fans learned that he had assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna on the night of the Grammy Awards. Photos showing Rihanna bloodied and bruised after the attack were leaked to the public at the time, forever altering Brown’s reputation and kicking off more than a decade of legal troubles.
Chris Brown’s history of alleged violence
Brown’s history of alleged violence has ratcheted up in recent years.
In 2017, a restraining order was granted to ex-girlfriend and “Claws” actress Karrueche Tran, mandating that Brown stay away from her after she alleged that he was abusive toward her.
In 2018, an anonymous accuser represented by women’s rights lawyer Gloria Allred sued Brown, alleging he had trapped her in his home and forced her to perform sex acts for his friends. In 2019, the singer was accused of raping a woman in Paris, but he was released without charges. This was followed by a July 2024 lawsuit, which alleged Brown and members of his crew severely assaulted four men after a concert in Texas.
