Yasiin Bey Is Finally Allowed to Leave South Africa

The artist formerly known as Mos Def has been out on bail in South Africa since January.

Yasii Bey Mos Def
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Yasii Bey Mos Def

Yasiin Bey, the artist formerly known as Mos Def, has essentially been stuck in South Africa for most of 2016 after attempting to leave the country with a "world passport," which is only recognized by a handful of countries as legitimate. After getting charged, he's been on bail in the country for 5,000 South African Rands ($355), but now the long-delayed case has come to a conclusion reports The Guardian. 

In a statement, the country's home affairs department said, “[He] has unreservedly apologized to the government of South Africa. The department is satisfied with the apology [and] will withdraw the charges against him.” Bey is now allowed to leave the country, but the department also declared him as an undesirable person and has now been barred from re-entry into South Africa.

The passport that resulted in the case to begin with, the "world passport," was issued by the World Service Authority, a non-profit organization that was set up following world war two, advocating world citizenship. The organization, which was set up in the US and has been issuing passports since 1954, cites the United Nations' right to freedom of movement. However, many countries do not recognize the passport as a formal document for travel.

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