Russia: Street Musicians Jailed for Anti-War Songs
- Recent detentions of street musicians and protesters in Russia highlight a growing crackdown on dissent following the country's invasion of Ukraine.
- Stoptime, known for their public performances, has been repeatedly targeted by authorities.
- In Yekaterinburg, Evgeny Mikhailov was placed in administrative detention for 14 days on charges of "petty hooliganism" - specifically, "shouting slogans and disturbing public order" and "discreditation of...
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Crackdown on Russian Street Musicians and protesters Following Anti-War performances
Table of Contents
updated November 10, 2025, 23:11:14 PST
Background: The Case of Stoptime and Rising Repression
Recent detentions of street musicians and protesters in Russia highlight a growing crackdown on dissent following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The cases of Diana Loginova (performing as naoko) and Aleksandr Orlov, members of the band stoptime, have become emblematic of this trend, sparking solidarity actions across the country.
Stoptime, known for their public performances, has been repeatedly targeted by authorities. their music, perceived as a form of protest, has resonated with citizens seeking an outlet for anti-war sentiment in a climate of increasing censorship.
Recent Detentions and Charges
The crackdown extends beyond Stoptime. In Yekaterinburg, Evgeny Mikhailov was placed in administrative detention for 14 days on charges of “petty hooliganism” – specifically, “shouting slogans and disturbing public order” and “discreditation of the Armed Forces.” In Perm,street musician Yekaterina Romanova (Ostasheva) faced a series of detentions: seven days for “refusal to undergo a drug test,” followed by another 15 days and 60 hours of community work for “disobeying the police.” Police also detained three performers in saint Petersburg and one protester in Moscow, though their identities remain unknown as of this update.
| City | Name | Charge | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yekaterinburg | Evgeny Mikhailov | Petty Hooliganism, Discreditation of Armed Forces | 14 days administrative detention |
| Perm | Yekaterina Romanova (Ostasheva) | Refusal to undergo a drug test | 7 days administrative detention |
| Perm | yekaterina Romanova (Ostasheva) | Disobeying the police | 15 days administrative detention, 60 hours community work |
| Saint Petersburg | Three performers (Identities Unknown) | Unknown | Detained |
| Moscow | One Protester (Identity Unknown) | Unknown | Detained |
International Condemnation and Concerns
The repeated arrests of Loginova and Orlov have drawn criticism from international human rights organizations. Denis Krivosheev, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, stated that the detentions are “punishment for their public performance which have become a breath of fresh air in a country gasping under repression and self-censorship.” Amnesty International
Krivosheev further expressed concern that authorities might be preparing criminal charges against the musicians,citing the proliferation of “repressive and vague laws” that make prosecuting individuals for expressing anti-war views increasingly easy. Amnesty International