R Kelly appears in court over request to travel to Dubai for concerts

R Kelly appeared in court on Friday over a request to travel abroad for concerts, as he remains barred from venturing outside Illinois without permission from a judge.

The singer arrived at a Chicago courthouse in the morning. He had previously sought approval to perform up to five gigs in Dubai in April and meet members of royal families in the United Arab Emirates, per his attorneys.

Kelly was charged with 10 counts of aggravated sexual abuse of three underage girls and one adult in February, and has since pleaded not guilty.

Conditions of his bond in the sex abuse case include not travelling outside Illinois unless allowed by the judge.

During Friday's hearing, the singer ended up asking a Cook County judge to hold off on making a decision regarding his request to travel to Dubai. His criminal attorney asked for more time to provide details to the court about the concerts Kelly wants to perform.

Prosecutors were expected to oppose Kelly's motion to travel abroad ahead of Friday's hearing.

Kelly's legal team say he is scrambling to pay child support because of the cancellation of concerts in Illinois, and that of a record contract.

A court filing states that Kelly is also struggling to pay bills amid his legal troubles.

The singer was jailed earlier this month over unpaid child support and was released after someone made a $161,000 payment on his behalf.

Outside court, Kelly's entertainment attorney, Doug Anton, said any Dubai trip was off for now as contracts with Dubai concert organisers are reworked.

Criminal attorney Steve Greenberg said later Kelly could still go to Dubai next month. He says he wants to provide the judge more details before any ruling.

Additional reporting by agencies