Punk rock group Anti-Flag addresses sudden breakup, sexual assault allegations

Punk rock band Anti-Flag is addressing the group's abrupt split and sexual assault allegations made against lead singer Justin Sane.

On Wednesday, Sane took to Instagram to shed light on the band's recent breakup, which was announced in a Patreon post last week. Sane said the group's disbandment was a result of sexual assault allegations brought against him.

"Recently, there have been claims of sexual assault made against me and I can tell you that these stories are categorically false," Sane wrote. "I have never engaged in a sexual relationship that was not consensual, nor have I ever been approached by a woman after a sexual encounter and been told I had in any way acted without her consent or violated her in any way."

Allegations against Sane emerged after therapist Kristina Sarhadi alleged she was raped by "the singer of a political punk band" during an appearance on the "enough." podcast on July 19. Sarhadi did not name the singer who assaulted her in her account.

"Sexual assault is real and has a devastating impact on victims," Sane wrote. "I have devoted my entire adult life to standing up for these victims as well as those suffering oppression and inequality, who are victimized, demeaned, and abused. I have always been, and will always be, that person.

"The statements being told about me are the antithesis of what I believe and how I have conducted myself throughout my life."

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Anti-Flag, the "enough." podcast and Sarhadi for comment.

Sane's post also included a group statement from bandmates Chris Head, Pat Thetic and Chris Barker, who said they were "shocked, confused, saddened and absolutely heartbroken from the moment we heard these allegations."

"A core tenet of the band Anti-Flag is to listen to and believe all survivors of sexual violence and abuse," the trio wrote. "The recent allegations about Justin are in direct contradiction to that tenet. Therefore, we felt the only immediate option was to disband."

While the musicians said "this experience has shaken us to our core," they also defended Sane, adding they have "never seen Justin be violent or aggressive toward women."

"This is new territory for all of us and it is taking time for us to process the situation," Sane’s bandmates wrote. "It was a privilege for us to be in the band Anti-Flag, as we seek to find our path forward we wish healing to all survivors."

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Anti-Flag was formed by guitarist and lead singer Sane and drummer Thetic in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the late 1980s, and they were later joined by guitarist Head and bassist Barker.

Known for its politically-charged lyrical content, Anti-Flag released its debut album "Die for the Government" in 1996 and went on to release several more albums, including 2001’s “Underground Network,” 2006’s “For Blood and Empire” and 2015’s "American Spring."

Their latest album, titled “Lies They Tell Our Children,” was released in January.

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