The singer from the German girl band No Angels arrested on suspicion of infecting a partner with HIV has been released from custody. Prosecutors say Nadja Benaissa, 26, had unprotected sex with three men without informing them she was infected, and that one later tested positive himself. Ms Benaissa's lawyers said she should enjoy the presumption of innocence. A spokesman for a court in the town of Darmstadt said her release was subject to certain undisclosed conditions. Ms Benaissa was arrested in Frankfurt 10 days previously, before she was due to perform in a solo concert. The prosecutor's office in the western town of Darmstadt said she had been detained because of the "urgent suspicion" that she slept with three people between 2004 and 2006, without telling them she was HIV-positive. She reportedly faces a possible charge of grievous bodily harm. But her lawyers note that there is no proof that she infected anyone. Benaissa was chosen to join No Angels in 2000 through the TV casting show Popstars. The group recorded a series of hits and emerged as Germany's most successful girl band.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
German Pop Star Released From Jail
The singer from the German girl band No Angels arrested on suspicion of infecting a partner with HIV has been released from custody. Prosecutors say Nadja Benaissa, 26, had unprotected sex with three men without informing them she was infected, and that one later tested positive himself. Ms Benaissa's lawyers said she should enjoy the presumption of innocence. A spokesman for a court in the town of Darmstadt said her release was subject to certain undisclosed conditions. Ms Benaissa was arrested in Frankfurt 10 days previously, before she was due to perform in a solo concert. The prosecutor's office in the western town of Darmstadt said she had been detained because of the "urgent suspicion" that she slept with three people between 2004 and 2006, without telling them she was HIV-positive. She reportedly faces a possible charge of grievous bodily harm. But her lawyers note that there is no proof that she infected anyone. Benaissa was chosen to join No Angels in 2000 through the TV casting show Popstars. The group recorded a series of hits and emerged as Germany's most successful girl band.
