British band Massive Attack said its members were detained and questioned by Singapore police following a concert in the city-state after audience members chanted pro-Palestine slogans.

In a statement posted on social media, the band said the incident occurred after its performance at the Star Theatre on July 29, describing the authorities' response as unexpected and disappointing.

 

 

 

 

 

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According to the band, all members were detained by police, separated for questioning, and subjected to individual interrogations.

The group said some members also had their hotel rooms searched, while others temporarily had their passports confiscated before being allowed to continue their travel.

Band links detention to pro-Palestine chants

Massive Attack said concertgoers had spontaneously begun chanting slogans in support of Palestine both before and after the performance.

The band thanked the audience for expressing solidarity with Palestine and questioned why its members were detained following the event.

Massive Attack has been among the most outspoken music groups in expressing support for Palestine and has frequently used its social media platforms to criticize the Israeli occupation's war on Gaza.

The band has previously called for an end to the assault on the Gaza Strip and has shared statements condemning Israeli military actions against Palestinians.

Band frontman among 500 arrested at Palestine Action protest

Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja was previously detained during the mass protest against the ban on Palestine Action in central London in early April, as reported by The Guardian. 

Del Naja, also known as 3D, was seen holding a sign that read: "I Oppose Genocide, I Support Palestine Action" in Trafalgar Square before police approached and carried him away from the demonstration as other protesters cheered.

In footage of his arrest, the musician can be heard saying, "I'm being unlawfully arrested" when asked why he was being detained.

Before his arrest, Del Naja told the Press Association he had concerns about how an arrest could affect his ability to travel and obtain visas for the band's upcoming summer tour.

"Being a musician, obviously, there was a lot of trepidation around how we might not be able to travel and get visas," he said. "But I thought 'this is ridiculous' and then the police making that U-turn to arrest people again, I thought that is even more ridiculous. So I'm going to hold a sign today."

He added that he believed the actions of Palestine Action were "highly patriotic because they were pretty much protecting our country from getting involved in serious war crimes and breaking international law."

"How much more patriotic can you be than that?" he said.