Most celebrities out there have kept schtum following Chris Brown's arrest for alleged rape in Paris.
But this all changed yesterday when Justin Bieber appeared to support the musician, who has denied any wrongdoing.
When Brown uploaded footage of himself practising dance moves in a studio to social media, Bieber turned to the comment section to write: "No one can touch you ur the GOAT." [sic]
The remark stirred controversy on Instagram, with many people online assuming that Bieber believed the Look At Me Now singer's version of events over a potential rape victim.
Soon enough, hundreds of fans had taken to the comment section themselves to reprimand Bieber.
"Last time I checked, domestic abuse charges and other allegations of violence don't make you the 'GOAT,' but okay Justin. You've missed a great opportunity to remain silent," wrote one.
Another expressed their disgust, writing "it fills me with disappointment to know that you defend violent people," while a third named the What Do You Mean star "shameful".
The two artists are longtime friends who have collaborated on songs including Next To You and Ladies Love Me. Brown, who pled guilty to felony assault against his then-girlfriend Rihanna in 2009, also received another supportive comment from American rapper and comedian Nick Cannon.
Brown and two other men - his bodyguard and a family friend - were arrested on Tuesday after a 24-year-old woman claimed the three had assaulted her in the Mandarin Oriental hotel on 15 January after meeting in a nightclub.
The French prosecutor's office has said police are still investigating the case.
After the allegations got out, the 29-year-old, who was released by police without charge, pleaded his innocence on Instagram, uploading a picture that read: "this b**** lyin'".
In his caption on Instagram, he claimed the accusation was "disrespectful" and against his "character and morals".
Writing in block captions, he stated: "I WANNA MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR...... THIS IS FALSE AND A WHOLE LOT OF CAP! NNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!! FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY THIS IS SO DISPRESPECTFUL AND IS AGAINST MY CHARACTER AND MORALS!!!!!" [sic]
Raphael Chiche, the Look at Me Now star's lawyer, added that his client "vigorously" professed his innocence and intended to sue for defamation.
"Chris Brown is free. No lawsuits were filed against him. He vigorously challenges the charges against him," Chiche stated. "A complaint for slanderous denunciation will be filed tomorrow with the public prosecutor of Paris."
In an interview with French magazine Closer, Brown's victim detailed the alleged attack, stating it was "brutal and violent".
"All I wanted to do was go home. I was too scared. There were three muscular men, aggressive and menacing. I couldn't do anything. I'm traumatised, I can't overcome what happened to me and resume my habits. It's horrible, I'm lost," she said.
.jpg_n2XlSb?tr=h-184)