Published
Mon, Jan 4, 2021, 10:10
- The Palestinian DJ was detained after playing a private event for Beatport in the West Bank.
Palestinian DJ and electronic artist Sama' Abdulhadi, AKA SAMA', has been released on bail.
The techno artist was released for a cash bond of 500 Jordanian dinar ($705 USD) following eight days in a Jericho jail. She still faces two years in prison if indicted and cannot leave Palestine while under investigation for charges of desecrating a religious site and violating Covid-19 health protocol continues.
Abdulhadi was detained by the Palestinian Authority for hosting and performing at a private event on December 27th at a hostel on the Nabi Musa site. The event was part of a series of four videos commissioned by Beatport.
"Abdulhadi faces up to two years of imprisonment if indicted," reads a statement from Beatport. "She has not been indicted yet and is awaiting the attorney general's decision whether the charges will be pursued or not, following the final results of the investigation."
Abdulhadi's release followed an outpouring of support from around the world, with a Change.org petition amassing over 100,000 signatures.
"I am safe and well and would like to thank everybody who has spoken out in support of my situation and called for my immediate release," she said in a statement. "I am overwhelmed by the support from my fellow musicians, artists, activists and the entire music community. I want to thank anybody and everybody who has made me feel so supported. At this moment, I just want to spend time with my family."
Read Beatport's statement in full.
Read more about the case in our original story, and learn more about the Palestinian electronic music scene.