Police said Parsa, aged 36, died late Sunday from a head injury suffered when he fell down a flight of stairs after being confronted by three male suspects outside his hotel following a performance.

Police said a 19-year-old suspect was arrested for assault, but the charge against him is expected to be raised to manslaughter.

The motive for the attack was not immediately known. Reports said the three men had been present in the hall during Parsa's concert.

Parsa, who was born in Kabul but had been living in Germany, is one of Afghanistan's most popular recording artists, having made 10 albums and toured around the world.
Police say Afghani pop star killed on street after Vancouver concert

Canadian Press (CP) / AMY CARMICHAEL / Mon May 9,10:39 PM ET

VANCOUVER (CP) - Popular Afghani pop star Nasrat Parsa died Sunday after being swarmed on the street outside his hotel following a performance at a downtown Vancouver theatre, police said Monday.

"He had been approached by three male suspects, one punched him and he fell down some stairs hitting his head," said Const. Tim Fanning of Vancouver police. "He was rushed to hospital and was pronounced dead."

Parsa, 36, who lived in Germany, died at 11:25 p.m. on Sunday. He had produced 10 albums since he started recording in 1989.

He was discovered during a New Year's celebration on Radio Kabul. During the live show he performed two famous hits by his idol, Ahmad Zahir. The entertainer, who Parsa has described as the greatest artist to ever live in Afghanistan, was so impressed with the show that he helped Parsa launch his career.

He toured all over the world and had been in Canada for the past month, promoting his new album, Dil, a collection of soft melodies released last fall.

According to the singer's official website, Parsa left Afghanistan with his family for Pakistan when he was 12, but he began performing as a young boy, appearing on a radio show in Kabul at the age of seven. The family later moved India.

Parsa, 36, performed in Toronto last week and sang on Mothers Day in Vancouver.

After the show, Fanning said Parsa was outside his East Vancouver hotel with his brother when he was assaulted.

Najib Parsa said he believes the attack on his brother may have grown out of anger from an unhappy concert-goer.

Some in the audience were dancing and wanted Nasrat Parsa to perform faster-paced songs.

After the family returned to the hotel, three young men arrived at around 1 a.m., asking for an autograph and to have their picture taken with the singer, his brother said.

When Nasrat Parsa shook one of the fan's hands, the man held on to his hand and punched him with his free hand, Najib Parsa said. He fell, striking his head on the stone steps.

Police happened to be in the area at the time, and saw a suspect running away.

The area was surrounded and a tracking dog was unleashed to search the area.

"He (the suspect) was found a couple blocks away hiding in the lane," said Fanning. "Another man was also found nearby and taken into custody."

Police said a 19-year-old man from suburban Burnaby was arrested and initially charged with aggravated assault.

The death is a huge blow to the Afghan community in Vancouver and around the world, said Mohammed Nayebzadah, who was the caterer for the Vancouver concert. He sold tickets to the show at his family business, the Silk Road Cafe, where Parsa's CDs were being played in tribute Monday.

"He was very popular," said Nayebzadah. "We are getting very upset, why is this happening? He's a young person, our singer, he's coming here to sing for the mothers on Mothers Day. I'm sorry for his mother and this very sad news for all Afghanis."

Parsa's performance was attended by close to 500 people, mostly Afghani families, Nayebzadah said.

The singer's brother was waiting for Parsa's body to be released for burial in Germany.

"I can see that this was his destiny and Vancouver was the final destination for him," said Najib Parsa