Sunday, June 30, 2013 5:02pm ET by  
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Jennifer Lopez apologises for Turkmenistan concert

Pop singer Jennifer Lopez has apologised for serenading the president of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, for his birthday on Saturday night (June 29th).

The singer’s performance attracted criticism from human rights groups including Reporters Without Borders who rank Turkmenistan as the third most repressive place in the world.

In reaction to the controversy, Lopez released a statement through her publicist who told the Sunday Telegraph that the event was not a political one and: ''Had there been knowledge of human rights issues any kind, Jennifer would not have attended.''

The singer performed three songs including ‘Happy Birthday, Mr. President’. The publicist added that this was a last minute addition to the performance at the request of sponsors.

“The China National Petroleum Corporation made a last minute 'birthday greeting' request prior to Jennifer taking the stage,” read the statement. “This was not stipulated in her contract but she graciously obliged the China National Petroleum Corporation request.”

 

 

 

 

Watch the video of last night’s performance below: