South African opera star Pretty Yende said she was detained by French authorities, strip searched and held in a dark room at Paris’ main airport after arriving this week for a starring role at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees. Yende, who was performing Tuesday evening, and her agent could not immediately be reached by The Associated Press for comment. He said she arrived in Paris on Monday and was questioned from about 5pm to 6pm before being released. The official said it was standard to strip search someone who is held because of improper paperwork. She said she was not "brutally interrogated and physically tortured like many" but she felt thankful to be alive.

Source: The Star June 22, 2021 19:30 UTC