A local man in Israel has reportedly been arrested on suspicion of hacking into Madonna’s computer and releasing demo versions of songs on her new album “Rebel Heart,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A private Israeli investigator, Asher Wizman, reportedly stated that Madonna’s team contacted his company several weeks ago to look into the issue after rumors of an Israeli connection to the leak, according to Reuters.
“Our investigator found her computers, at home and at a studio, were broken into from a computer in Israel,” explained Wizman.
He added, “We tracked down the computer, and the man behind it. After gathering enough evidence, we turned to the police and he was arrested today.”
The man suspected of selling Madonna’s songs online is reportedly a former contestant on a popular television singing contest in Israel.
“He is suspected of computer hacking, copyright violation and fraudulent receipt of goods,” a police spokesman stated.
The spokesman continued, “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.”
Madonna had experienced leaks of demos from “Rebel Heart” in December as well. Several demos were reportedly leaked online, an incident that the artist called “artistic rape” and a “form of terrorism.”
The 56-year-old’s longtime manager Guy Oseary reportedly told Billboard was “devastating” and that it prompted the pre-release of six songs from “Rebel Heart” on December 20 on iTunes.