A man suspected of hacking into the computers of pop stars including Madonna and selling unreleased songs online has been arrested in Israel.
Israeli police said the man was suspected of stealing work from several unnamed international stars.
A private investigator connected to the case confirmed Madonna was among them.
Madonna rush-released a number of new songs last month after demos and unfinished mixes from her new album Rebel Heart made their way online.
The singer called the leak “a form of terrorism.”
Her manager Guy Oseary said the “devastating” action had prompted the surprise release of six songs from Rebel Heart in December, months earlier than planned.
Asher Wizman, the owner of a private investigation firm in Israel, told the Reuters news agency he was contacted by Madonna’s team several weeks ago after rumors of an Israeli connection to the leak.
“Our investigator found her computers, at home and at a studio, were broken into from a computer in Israel,” he told Reuters.
“We tracked down the computer, and the man behind it. After gathering enough evidence, we turned to the police and he was arrested today.”
Police did not immediately name the 39-year-old man, although local reports identified him as a former contestant on one of Israel’s TV talent shows.
“He is suspected of computer hacking, copyright violation and fraudulent receipt of goods,” a police spokesman said.
“During the investigation it appeared the suspect had broken into the computers of a number of international artists, stole unreleased demos and final tracks and sold them over the internet.”
No charges have yet been filed.
Madonna is due to perform songs from Rebel Heart album at the Grammy Awards next month, while she is also rumored to be appearing at the Brits.
Rebel Heart sees her working with songwriter and producer Ryan Tedder and dance producer Diplo, who said he had written three “amazing smashes” with Madonna.
The arrest in Israel comes a day after Bjork was forced to release her new album Vulnicura two months ahead of schedule after it leaked over the weekend.
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Bjork has decided to rush out her eighth album Vulnicura onto iTunes, days after the music leaked online.
Vulnicura release was intended to accompany a retrospective of Bjork’s career at New York’s Museum of Modern Art in March.
But, after the record appeared on file-sharing sites last weekend, Bjork decided to put it on sale immediately.
“I am so grateful you are still interested in my work,” the singer said.
“I appreciate every little bit!”
Writing on Facebook, Bjork described the nine-track album as “a complete heartbreak album” with an “emotional chronology” to it.
Bjork’s fast turnaround echoes that of Madonna, who raced to get tracks from her Rebel Heart album onto iTunes over Christmas after early demos and unfinished mixes appeared online.
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On Saturday night, Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry spent time together as they attended a Bjork concert at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry were said to have met up “discreetly” and made their way into the gig together before leaving separately to avoid photographers waiting outside the venue, X17Online.com reports.
Katy Perry, 28, opted for a gothic inspired ensemble for her evening out with her showbiz pal, teaming a punky leather miniskirt with a black and silver crucifix logo T-shirt.
She teamed her outfit with a long black satin coat, black tights and heels, while wearing a black and silver choker around her neck.
Showing off her perfect porcelain skin with natural make-up, Katy Perry wore her raven locks poker straight around her face.
And in spite of her A-list pal, Katy Perry paid no reference to her company as she expressed her delight at the gig over Twitter, writing: “Dear Bjork, how do I join your traveling girl cult? #brilliantshow.”
Katy Perry and Robert Pattinson have been spending a lot of time together in recent weeks, and it’s even been claimed the songstress has even taken her pal to visit her parents in Santa Barbara, California.
Robert Pattinson and Katy Perry spent time together as they attended a Bjork concert at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles
A source told Grazia magazine: “Katy and Robert have been spending a lot of time together recently and it’s safe to say there is serious chemistry. Katy thought the break from LA would do Rob good, and since he was no longer living with Kristen, she didn’t hesitate in inviting him to join her.”
“But she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by rushing into anything.”
Katy Perry and Robert Pattinson puzzled onlookers earlier this month when they were spotted checking out the wedding rehearsal of two strangers at San Ysidro Ranch, not far from where Katy grew up.
Rehearsal guest Stephanie Sands told People.com: “Katy and Rob were just sitting next to each other watching the wedding rehearsal in the main courtyard area. They were dressed very casually.
“She was wearing a hoodie and big sunglasses. There was no PDA between them and no body language that showed they were dating. They just sat together and watched. They were not affiliated with the wedding party and were not seen mingling with guests.”
Katy Perry was said to have been disapproving of Robert Pattinson’s reconciliation with Twilight co-star Kristen Stewart last year following her fling with married director Rupert Sanders.
A source told Life & Style magazine: “Katy never really supported Rob’s decision to get back with Kristen. She always said they wouldn’t last.
“Katy told Rob she didn’t think their relationship could withstand the cheating scandal. And he deserved better than someone who would destroy a family [like Rupert’s].”
Despite the couple managing to patch things up after a two-month break following Kristen Stewart’s “momentary indiscretion” with Rupert Sanders last year, it is thought their relationship is over for good this time after Robert Pattinson was spotted moving his belongings out of her home in Los Feliz earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Katy Perry split from musician John Mayer in mid-March, but the on-off couple are recently said to have rekindled their turbulent romance.
