BRUSSELS, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- World music's Papa Wemba has been questioned by Belgian police about hundreds of illegal immigrants who may have entered Belgium disguised as musicians.
Papa Wemba, 54, a world-renowned musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was extradited to Belgium earlier this week from his home in France, Britain's Independent reported Thursday, as part of an investigation by French and Belgian border police.
The case first began in December 2001 after 200 Africans arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris claiming they were dancers and musicians from Papa Wemba's Viva La Musica band. The musicians later disappeared.
In February 2002, Belgian police arrested 15 "musicians" who had arrived from Kinshasa, DRC. They also claimed to be members of Viva La Musica and, after questioning, at least one of the immigrants said he had paid $3,500 for his visa and trip.
Wemba also is under formal investigation in France where he served three months in jail last year for immigration offenses before being released on bail.
