Twenty arrested after Russian teens riot over cancellation of TikToker’s concert due to bomb threat

Police in the Russian Black Sea city of Sochi arrested about 20 people on Sunday after a small riot broke out following the cancellation of a concert by TikToker and streamer Ivan Zolo (real name Ivan Zolochevsky), according to the Russian Interior Ministry.

The concert was scheduled to take place on January 26 at a venue called the Nebar Club. That evening, however, local police announced that a bomb threat had been reported at around 6:00 p.m. As a result, the concert was canceled and the audience was evacuated. In response, according to the Ministry, some of the evacuees “provoked a group violation of public order,” though no specific details were provided.

Local media reported that teenagers were loud and disruptive outside the venue and attempted to force their way inside. Some called for throwing bottles at the door and shouted insults directed at Ivan Zolo. In one video, teenagers can be seen hitting the door with a broom and chanting “Goida,” a battle cry allegedly used by Ivan the Terrible’s forces in the 16th century that has been used as both a pro-war slogan and a meme in recent years.

Ivan Zolo later posted a video stating that the concert in Sochi was canceled “due to a false bomb threat.” He directed questions about ticket refunds to the event organizers.