Popular Kerala singer KG Markose arrested in Saudi

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 12: KG Markose - popular Malayalam singer has been arrested in Saudi on Friday, Feb 10. The singer visited the country to attend a musical concert.

After being harassed for more than 24 hours, Markose got bail in the late evening of Saturday. According to sources in Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy's office, Markose was arrested following some distribution of notices with his (Markose's) pictures in Malayalam.

"The reason behind his arrest, as being told to us, is that a notice with Markose's picture in Malayalam was being circulated and this is against the kingdom's laws. What we are given to understand is that the organisers of the musical programme also did not take the required sanction," informed the official from the CM's office.

Stating about the whole incident, the official added, "The incident occured Friday evening at 7.30 p.m when the singer was proceeding to AL-Qatif near Damamm after having performed in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. He was on a visit to stage a programme celebrating India's Republic Day organised by a Kerala group there."

Media quoted Markose when he was in the police station. The singer said, "Right now, I am in a police station in Dammam and they are verifying my papers and so far there has been no arrest. They have found out that I am on a visit visa and am sure that very soon I would be asked to leave the station. The officials are very nice to me and I have no problems here at all. I have been told that this programme did not have the required permission from authorities."

OneIndia News