![\"Images](\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/624\/cpsprodpb\/E5F8\/production\/_105427885_chicagopolicetwitter.png\")
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They were released without charges after providing information that “shifted the trajectory of the investigation”, police said.<\/p>\n
One of the brothers is Mr Smollett’s personal trainer and both have worked as extras on Empire.<\/p>\n
Police say they have a cheque that Mr Smollett signed and that he had agreed to pay $3,500 (\u00a32,700) for their participation.<\/p>\n
Supt Johnson said that he had told at least one of the brothers that he was “dissatisfied” with his salary from Fox.<\/p>\n
He added that Mr Smollett first “attempted to gain attention by sending a false letter that relied on racial, homophobic and political language” to Fox studios.<\/p>\n
One day earlier, Fox released a statement supporting Mr Smollett, calling him a “consummate professional on set,” and insisting that he was not being “written out of” Empire.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, CBS Chicago obtained footage which appeared to show two people buying materials, including ski masks, that had allegedly been worn by the actor’s attackers.<\/p>\n
Mr Smollett turned himself in early on Thursday and is in custody of Chicago police.<\/p>\n
He will appear before a judge for a bond hearing later on Thursday.<\/p>\n
What does Smollett say happened?<\/h2>\n
The actor, who is gay, said he had gone out to buy food late at night in downtown Chicago when two white men hurled racial and homophobic insults at him.<\/p>\n
They allegedly punched the actor, poured a chemical substance over him and put a rope around his neck.<\/p>\n
Police said on Thursday that some minor scrapes on his face were probably self-inflicted.<\/p>\n
“I’m left hanging my head and asking why. Why would anyone, especially an African-American man, use the symbolism of a noose to make false accusations?” said Supt Johnson.<\/p>\n
“How could someone look at the hatred and suffering associated with that symbol and see an opportunity to manipulate that symbol to further his own public profile?”<\/p>\n
Mr Smollett also claimed the men had told him “this is Maga country”, apparently referring to President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.<\/p>\n
The president tweeted his condemnation after the police news conference, slamming Mr Smollett’s “racist and dangerous comments”.<\/p>\n
In a tearful interview with ABC News during the investigation, he claimed to have fought back against his attackers.<\/p>\n
The actor said he had been “forever changed” by the alleged incident.\u00a0An outpouring of support followed<\/a>, including from Oscar winner Viola Davis and supermodel Naomi Campbell.<\/p>\n Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"