Russian comedian declared ‘foreign agent’ says denied entry to Indonesia per Russia’s request

Russian comedian and TV host Maxim Galkin wrote on his Instagram that he was denied entry into Indonesia, where he was scheduled to perform on January 27.

“The reason was given almost immediately and repeated several times by various border service officials: a letter from the Russian government requesting that I not be let into Bali. They showed me the letter but, of course, politely refused me a copy,” said Galkin.

According to Galkin, he had obtained a work visa two days before the trip and all the necessary documents for his performance were in order.

The day before, journalist Anna Mongayt wrote that Galkin had been refused entry to Indonesia because his passport was “on some kind of blacklist.”

In October 2023, Galkin’s two events in Kazakhstan were canceled “for technical reasons.” He himself had previously stated that his performances in Almaty and Astana were being obstructed “at the state level.” In mid-January 2024, Galkin’s performances were canceled in Thailand.

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Galkin has repeatedly spoken out against the war. He and his wife, Alla Pugacheva, relocated to Israel. In September 2022, the Russian Justice Ministry declared Galkin a “foreign agent.”