Lithuania has barred Russian rapper Alisher Morgenshtern from entering the country, the Migration Department spokesman confirmed to BNS on Thursday.
Rokas Pukinskas said the move followed a written proposal from the Foreign Ministry and additional information indicating that the rapper could pose a threat to national security.
“The ban on Morgenshtern entering Lithuania takes effect immediately and will remain in force for 10 years,” he said.
Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas has also asked the Foreign Ministry to look into the company that organises Morgenshtern’s concerts in Lithuania. According to Benkunskas, Ready Evens, registered in Latvia, may not operate in line with Lithuania’s “information security” rules.
Morgenshtern has previously expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, but after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, he spoke out against Moscow’s military actions and criticised them in his songs.
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