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'Locked Up': Singer Akon arrested on outstanding warrant

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R&B singer Akon poses for a photo in New York, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
R&B singer Akon poses for a photo in New York, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Richard Drew). Picture: Alamy

By Flaminia Luck

Singer Akon has been arrested in Georgia on an outstanding warrant, TMZ has reported.

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The 52-year-old, whose real name is Aliaune Thiam, was arrested in DeKalb County last Thursday, according to the sheriff's office.

He was released six hours later.

The 'Locked Up' rapper was reportedly arrested on an out of country warrant.

The warrant was for failure to appear for a suspended licence, according to legal documents obtained by TMZ.

Akon attends the 49th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Picture: UK Press
Akon attends the 49th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Picture: UK Press. Picture: Alamy

Police say they were on patrol when they spotted a Tesla Cybertruck stranded in the middle of the road in Georgia.

Akon was the driver and he told cops the battery had died.

Police called a tow truck to move the vehicle and while waiting, the officer discovered Akon's licence was suspended for a failure to appear from back in January 2023.

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Police said Akon was issued a citation for driving while his license was suspended and released from the scene.

The officer also noted that an illegal vape and was seized during the inventory and submitted for destruction.

Neither Akon nor his representatives have publicly commented at the time of publication.

Akon Performs In Berlin
Picture: Getty

This is not the first time the five-time Grammy nominee has had a brush with the law.

In 1998, he spent several months behind bars for car theft charges, though these were later dropped.

Then a decade later, he pleased guilty to second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a minor after hurling a fan aged 15 off stage during a performance in New York.

The singer was fined $350 and ordered to 65 hours of community service.

Akon performs onstage at T4 On The Beach
Akon performs onstage at T4 On The Beach. Picture: Alamy