According to The Guardian, Omar Souleyman, a Syrian singer is known for fusing traditional dabke music with electronic beats, has been imprisoned on terrorism allegations.
Local authorities raided the artist’s home in the south-eastern Turkish city of Urfa, near the Syrian border, and arrested him. His true name is Omar Almasikh.
Souleyman’s manager told AFP that the musician was being questioned for alleged ties to the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
Souleyman’s son, according to the Guardian, has refuted his father’s terrorism charges, claiming that he has no political links and that a “malicious report” has been lodged against him.
Souleyman has apparently not returned home as of this writing, though his management has stated that he expects him to be freed later yesterday (17th November).
The 55-year-old musician, who has toured the world and collaborated with musicians such as Four Tet, Damon Albarn of Gorillaz, Diplo, Björk, and Gilles Peterson, was reportedly transported to a local hospital for a health check before being detained by authorities for further interrogation.
Souleyman, like millions of others, fled Syria during the country’s civil war. He has performed at events such as Glastonbury and Pitchfork Music Festival, and his music has become an international success.
