Russian Authorities Repeatedly Detain Street musicians for Anti-War Performances
Amnesty International has expressed serious concern over the repeated administrative detentions of Diana Loginova (known as Naoko), Aleksandr Orlov, and Vladislav Leontyev, members of the Saint Petersburg street band Stoptime. This marks the third instance of detention for Loginova and Orlov,raising fears of escalating legal repercussions.
“The repeated arrests of Naoko and her bandmates are punishment for their public performances, which have become a breath of fresh air in a country stifled by repression and self-censorship,” stated denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia. “The authorities’ persistence in pursuing them raises fears they might be preparing criminal charges, given the proliferation of vague and repressive laws that could be used to prosecute individuals for expressing anti-war views.”
The band gained prominence in october after videos of their performances – featuring songs by exiled Russian musicians and lyrics critical of the government, human rights issues, and the war in Ukraine - went viral, drawing supportive crowds.
On October 15th, all three band members were initially arrested and accused of ”organizing a mass gathering that violated public order” (Article 20.2.2(1) of the Russian Code of Administrative Offences). Loginova and Leontyev were sentenced to 13 days of administrative detention, while Orlov received 12. Loginova was also fined 30,000 rubles (approximately US$370) for “discrediting the Russian armed forces” (article 20.3.3 of the Code).
Upon completion of their initial sentences on October 27th and 28th, the musicians were immediatly re-arrested under the same Article 20.2.2 charge, relating to earlier performances, and given further sentences of 12-13 days. Loginova also received an additional 13 days detention for “petty hooliganism” (Article 20.1 CAO),allegedly for using obscene language during a performance,and a second fine for ”discreditation.”
Most recently, on November 9th and 10th, Orlov and Loginova were detained again immediately upon release from their previous detentions, with authorities refusing to disclose the grounds for the new arrests – a tactic described as “carousel arrests” intended to prolong detention without formal criminal charges.
The case has inspired shows of solidarity across Russia.In Yekaterinburg, Evgeny Mikhailov was given 14 days of administrative detention for “petty hooliganism” and “discreditation of the Armed Forces” after “shouting slogans and disturbing public order.” In Perm, street musician Yekaterina Romanova (Ostasheva) received seven days detention for “refusal to undergo a drug test,” followed by 15 days detention and 60 hours of community service for “disobeying the police.” Police also detained three performers in Saint Petersburg and one protester in Moscow, whose identities remain unknown.
Krivosheev concluded, “Authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Naoko, Aleksandr Orlov, and othre street musicians detained for exercising their right to freedom of expression through anti-war protest. Their only ‘crime’ is singing songs that challenge the suffocating official narrative.”
