Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian has spoken out against the incarceration of Lamb Of God vocalist Randy Blythe. His statement, as well as several other metal heavyweights, including members of Slipknot and Asking Alexandria can be seen in the video below.
Blythe was arrested by Czech police at the Prague airport on Wednesday, June 27 and later charged with causing, “bodily harm of the fourth degree, resulting in the death of a fan.”
It is alleged that during a May 24, 2010 Lamb Of God concert, Blythe pushed a 19-year-old fan, who had climbed onstage, back into the audience. The fan lapsed into a coma and died of a bleeding in the brain several days later.
Speaking with Artisan News, Ian admitted his confusion over how the Czech Republic justice system worked but added that Blythe’s continued incarceration appeared to be a violation of his rights: “”I just don’t really understand a system that, basically, has already found him guilty without even him having a day in court, because they’re keeping him in jail. It’s insane to me that that’s allowed to happen.”
Like many, Ian can’t understand why the U.S. Government hasn’t yet intervened the situation. He stated: “And it’s really disturbing, also, the fact that the U.S. government doesn’t step in to help one of its citizens that’s being treated extremely unfairly in a foreign country. It’s pretty amazing to me that the government doesn’t step in and say, ‘Hey, motherfuckers. What’s going on?’”
Spot on for leaders of the metal community voicing their support!
If anyone here wants “change,” take it to ballot box this fall.
Is this the same DOJ (Dept. of Justice) that encourages Black Panther intimidation at the voting box?
Is this same DOJ that smuggles automatic weapons to Mexico?
Is this the same administration that welcomes “entertainer” Jay Z to the “Situation” (READ War) Room, but purposefully refused to agknowledge Adam “MCA” Yauch (Beastie Boys) contributions?
Apologies for politicking this, but sometimes scientific empericism must be recognized when America’s most talented artists are not.
When he’s already paid bail, why isn’t he out?
Oh yeah, cos the nasty fuckers over there then tried doubling it!
Seriously America, step the fuck up and do something! How can you let one of your own sit and rot in a foreign jail when he’s only been accused of a crime? He hasn’t been found guilty, so get him OUT!
This Govt went to Iran to bail out those freaks who hiked “Accidentally” (yea right, accidentally) into Iran. Why won’t they support Randy Blythe?
I love how some people with zero common sense go hiking in Iran, get capture and acussed of being spies. They should have never been there in the first place and the GOV jumps into action right away, but a US citizen very well known around the world is left to fend for himself in jail, unbelievable !!!
In the US a non-citizen could be denied bail as a flight risk or at least they will have to surrender their passport and remain in the country, I think.
Dee : It is a normal procedure. judge must decide whether it is a risk to leave the country, so he can change bail. I think it is similar in US or other countries. Nobody said that he is guilty. and believe me, he is well. we are not “bushmens”
Wow, way to be stupid metal fans! Those hikers were held for 2 years in Iran before being released. And Kip perhaps you’d like to explain what is so scientific about your opinion? First of it’s the Dept. of State that handles these issues, not the DOJ and even then why do you assume that they are not working on it? Secondly, what does acknowledging MCA have to do with anything?