Stoptime musicians embroiled in a string of arrests and lawsuits: a new level of censorship

Two weeks ago, the Stoptime group was arrested in St. Petersburg and appeared in court after performing songs by Monetochka, Noize MC and other foreign agents on the streets. This case was the beginning of a whole "carousel" of arrests and trials, which got the musicians, as well as their colleagues from the group "Restart".

After two weeks of detention, it became clear that the situation was worsening. Singer Diana Loginova (Naoko), guitarist Alexander Orlov and drummer Vladislav Leontiev were arrested under an article about the organization of mass stay of citizens, after a denunciation from the head of Regnum Marina Akhmedova and the owner of Dvach Nariman "Abu" Namazov. The musicians were also accused of discrediting the Russian army for performing the songs "You're a soldier" (Noize MC) and "Bright Stripe".

In response to the situation, Russian youth actively expressed support for the musicians through TikTok-video, and one of the members of the group “Zhenka Joy” was arrested in Yekaterinburg for “obscene language” during a concert in support of Naoko.

The following days brought new arrests: Alexander Orlov was detained, followed by the arrests of the musicians of the band Restart, as well as the arrests of the drummer and three minor musicians. The Leninsky District Court fined Diana Loginova (Naoko) for performing the song "You're a Soldier" and also ruled to increase the term of arrest of Naoko and Sasha. Proceedings continued and some decisions were reviewed.

At the closing point of this story, Stoptime guitarist Sasha made Naoko a marriage proposal right in the van using an IQOS box.

This string of arrests and trials involving Stoptime musicians and others raises the issue of artistic freedom and censorship in Russia, comparing the situation to precedents in other countries such as Chile, Belarus and Turkey.