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Justin Bieber has released a statement via his rep addressing whether he was among Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged victims amid the rapper’s ongoing sex trafficking trial
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“Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,” the rep said
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“Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” the spokesperson added
Justin Bieber has broken his silence amid Sean “Diddy” Combs‘ ongoing sex trafficking trial.
The “Peaches” singer, 31, has largely remained quiet regarding his former friend and longtime collaborator Combs’ September arrest, following multiple sexual assault and sex trafficking accusations against him.
However, Bieber’s rep has now released a statement to confirm that he was not one of the Bad Boy Records founder’s victims.
“Although Justin is not among Sean Combs’ victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him,” the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
“Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve,” the rep added.
Combs’ sex trafficking trial began on Monday, May 12, after the rap mogul was indicted in September on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty.
After Combs’ arrest, a source told PEOPLE in September that Bieber was focusing on his family after welcoming his son, Jack Blues, with his wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, the month prior.
“He’s aware of Diddy’s arrest and all the allegations,” the insider told PEOPLE at the time. “It’s not anything that he wants to focus on, though.”
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In March of last year, a clip of Combs hanging out with a 15-year-old Bieber resurfaced after the rapper’s properties were raided as the allegations against him mounted.
In the video, shared to Bieber’s YouTube page in 2009, the “Love Yourself” singer and Combs were in the midst of spending 48 hours together — and while the record producer refused to “disclose” what they were up to, they discussed the prospect of getting “some girls.”
The clip opened with Combs showing Bieber his Lamborghini and offering to give him the car once he turned 16, as well as his mansion once the young star was 18.
“You ever seen the movie 48 Hrs? Right now [Justin is] having 48 hours with Diddy, him and his boy,” the rapper said, adding, “They’re having the times of their lives.”
“Where we hanging out and what we’re doing we can’t really disclose. But it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream,” he said in the video.
“For the next 48 hours, he’s with me. And we’re gonna go full. Buck full crazy,” Combs told the camera elsewhere in the clip, before asking Bieber what he was looking to do during their time together.
“Let’s just go get some girls,” Bieber said, as Combs replied, “Man after my heart. That’s what I’m talking about.”
Read the original article on People
The post Justin Bieber Breaks Silence on Whether He Was Among Diddy’s Victims amid Rapper’s Sex Trafficking Trial appeared first on People.
