Renowned Malian singer Rokia Traore was arrested in Italy on Sunday, June 23, ahead of her scheduled performance at the Rome Colosseum.
The arrest comes amidst a lengthy child custody dispute between Traore and her ex-partner, Belgian playwright Jan Goosens.
Traore and Goosens have been engaged in a legal battle across France, Mali, and Belgium, with both seeking full custody of their daughter.
Despite court rulings granting custody to either party, the dispute remains unresolved.
In 2020, Traore was arrested in Paris on a European arrest warrant and later defied a ban on leaving France.
Since then, she has performed less frequently in Europe, residing in Mali with her child.
The Rome concert was cancelled following Traore’s arrest, leaving fans disappointed.
The singer’s legal troubles have garnered significant attention, with many following the developments in the case.
Read more reports and opinions on Diaspora Digital Media.