Bieber charged with assault, robbery

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina has filed assault and robbery charges against pop singer Justin Bieber in connection with a 2013 incident, the authorities confirmed to dpa on Thursday.

“The charges have been filed. As soon as the indictment is legally binding, an oral hearing will be held,” the presiding court in BuenosAires said.

No investigation has been ordered. “As long as he follows the law, he has nothing to fear,” the court said.

The Canadian singer was leaving the discotheque Ink in the Argentinian capital in 2013 when he got into a scuffle with a photographer attempting to take pictures of him.

Bieber’s bodyguards accosted the man and allegedly injured his arm. Parts of his camera were taken as well, according to the charges.

It’s unclear if the musician had ordered the bodyguards to attack the photographer.

Bieber offered his side of the story in a video conference with investigators, the court said, although he didn’t answer any questions.

Bieber plans to tour in South America in the coming year. No concerts are scheduled for Argentina.

The warrant was subsequently cancelled, even though the case was still ongoing. Now, three years after this saga began, Bieber has been indicted for robbery causing minor injuries. If he travels to Argentina, he will be subject to arrest.

But the singer, of course, doesn’t have any intentions of going there. In fact, Bieber tweeted an apology to Argentinian fans back in May, explaining that he couldn’t risk stepping foot in the country. That said, he placed the blame entirely on the government.

— dpa