The musician is reportedly 'not surprised' by the decision and remains in exile.

26 January 2020: Cuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara was released after police detained him near his girlfriend Claudia Genlui Hidalgo's home.

After his arrest, Algerian poet Mohamed Tadjadit was sentenced on 19 December 2019 to 18 months in prison for “undermining the national unity.”

Freemuse is pleased to hear about the release of Moroccan street theatre artist Younes Benkhdim.

Turkish band Grup Yorum’s members have been on hunger strike since May 2019 in response to the restrictions to their freedom of artistic expression.

“An attack on these cultural sites is a war crime as defined by the International Criminal Court and should be treated thus,” says Freemuse Executive Director Dr. Srirak Plipat, “Further, these threats show an alarming disregard to cultural heritage, the international cultural community, and humanity at large. Freemuse condemns this threat and calls on the USA standby the international law they have agreed to in order to protect these basic human rights and freedoms.”

Moroccan rapper Gnawi (real name Mohamed Mounir), has been sentenced to a year in prison for insulting the government.

Two actors, director, and producer were arrested for almost 24 hours because of their participation in a play about two gay police officers.

Guinean reggae singer Elie Kamano and nine other detainees were released from prison on 28 November.

Musician Cherif Atmani was arrested in Tizi Ouzou for carrying posters calling for the rejection of the presidential elections.