Latvia closed the door to singer Kristina Orbakaite: added a « blacklist »

This decision was recently made by Minister of the Interior, Rihard Kozlovsky. This means that these summer concerts in Latvia will also have to be canceled in Latvia.

According to the State Security Service, the statements of the Russian aggression, the statements of Latvia’s national security interests do not correspond to the increase in tension in society.

« The main message is about the support of aggression against Ukraine, about participating in public events in occupied territories. We, Latvia, support Ukraine and continue to support it, so in this case it is absolutely unacceptable to us, » the minister said.

According to the information available to the VDD, G. Bregovich has been He performed several times in the occupied Crimea. The musician also often publicly expressed support for the aggressor to Russia, while disseminating messages of discrediting Western countries. K. Orbakaitė also performed in the Crimea after the occupation, as well as participated in various Russian propaganda events.

Both musicians were included in the so -called « Black List » at the request of the State Security Service (VDD), the Minister of the Interior explained in an interview with Latvian television.

« According to the VDD, the performances of Russian aggression in Latvia do not correspond to our country’s national security interests, as it can promote the internet in Latvian society, » the VDD said in a written comment.

The VDD and the Ministry of the Interior are calling for the event organizers to carefully evaluate the invited performers – if a person performs in Russia or its occupied territories of Ukraine, it is considered support for Russian aggression and war crimes.

Last year, the recommendation of various security services, Latvia’s « Black List » was supplemented by 480 foreigners.

Concert in Lithuania

K. Orbakaitė’s concert is also planned in the Entertainment Arena in Vilnius. Its date is May 31st. The event has not yet been canceled, but for the same reasons, resentment has been resulting in the country.

Photo by screen

« I have seen on the Internet is a photo, a very old photo, where Orbakaitė accepts some kind of award from Mr. (Vladimir – BNS) Putin. If we appreciate a 20 -year period, there are many people who had some relationship. But their position is now important in Ukraine, »

« The organizers have the opportunity to ask the question and answer to the public during the concert, » he added.

The Ministry of Culture says it has no authority to ban it from a concert, but asks the event organizer to assess the potential risks.

« It is noteworthy that although the performer and her posture are ambiguous in society, concerts of the performers who support aggressors are not acceptable, the Ministry of Culture has no authority to prohibit, evaluate or investigate private individuals, in this case.

« However, understanding the sensitivity of the situation and seeking that the organizers of private events, planning to invite various performers to Lithuania, would objectively and deliberately evaluate the possible negative consequences for them and the public, the Ministry of Culture drew the attention of concert organizers.

The organizers of the concert are asked to independently evaluate the links between the performers with the hostile country, their position to war and other potential risks.

« In this geopolitically sensitive situation, they were asked to assess the links between performers with Russia, their position in the war in Ukraine, the involvement and support of the activities that violate human rights, threaten public policy, the likelihood and risks of provocations, » the report states.

The Ministry of Culture also emphasized that responsibility for the potential negative consequences and threats of such events is due to the organizers of the event.