American R&B star and rapper Chris Brown was arrested in the early hours of Thursday at The Lowry Hotel, a luxury five-star establishment in Manchester, in connection with an alleged violent assault that took place over a year ago at a nightclub in London’s upscale Mayfair district.
According to authorities, Metropolitan Police officers swooped in on the 36-year-old artist just after 2:00 a.m. on May 15, following a months-long investigation into an incident at Tape nightclub, an exclusive venue located in Hanover Square.
The arrest stems from a reported altercation on the night of February 19, 2023, during which Brown is accused of launching an unprovoked bottle attack on music producer Abe Diaw. Diaw claims the assault occurred around 3:00 a.m., describing it as both sudden and violent.
Chris Brown had reportedly arrived in the UK the previous afternoon via private jet, landing at Manchester Airport ahead of his scheduled performances. However, his low-profile entrance did not go unnoticed. After The Sun newspaper published details of his presence in the country, detectives from the Met traveled to Manchester and coordinated with local authorities to carry out the arrest.
In a statement released Thursday morning, a Met Police spokesperson confirmed:
“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 remains in custody. The arrest relates to an incident at a venue in Hanover Square on 19 February 2023.”
The Grammy-winning singer, known for hits like “With You”, “Loyal”, and “Under the Influence,” has a history of run-ins with the law, including past assault charges. However, this latest arrest places him once again under intense public scrutiny, particularly as it involves another figure in the music industry.
As of now, Brown is believed to be held at a local police station in Manchester where he is being questioned. Further updates on possible charges or release conditions are expected as the investigation progresses.
This development comes as a significant blow to Brown’s UK tour plans and could have broader implications for his international appearances moving forward.
