Russian singer not allowed to enter Lithuania
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 August 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian singer not allowed to enter Lithuania, 18 August 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/57db9a1520.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
August 18, 2016
By RFE/RL
Russian singer Oleg Gazmanov (file photo)
A prominent Russian singer known for his nationalist songs such as "Made In The U.S.S.R." has been denied entry to the Baltic country of Lithuania.
Singer Oleg Gazmanov wrote on Instargram on April 17 that border guards at Vilnius airport explained he was on a list of "undesirable persons" in Lithuania.
Gazmanov was allowed to spend the night in a hotel and was scheduled to return to Moscow later on August 18.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius said on August 18 that Gazmanov was not allowed to enter Lithuania due to "the aggressive propaganda linked to Russia's aggressive activities against neighboring countries." Linkevicius did not elaborate.
In July 2014, another Baltic state, Latvia, banned Gazmanov from entering, saying that the singer "contributed to undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity by his actions and statements."
With reporting by Delfi.lt and BNS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
