Russian rapper is arrested for performing in the street, after police force his concert venue to lock out fans

The Russian rapper Dmitry Kuznetsov, better known as “Khaski,” was arrested in Krasnodar late on November 21, after police reportedly hounded him out of two venues and pressured organizers into canceling a scheduled concert. In the end, Khaski tried to perform for a crowd of die-hard fans atop a parked car, but that’s when officers moved in and dragged him downtown. Lawyers representing the entertainer told the television network Dozhd that he faces misdemeanor charges and up to 15 days in jail for ignoring police orders and refusing to submit to an alcohol and drug exam.

What’s the authorities’ beef with Khaski? Regional officials reportedly warned venue owners that Kuznetsov’s lyrics are under investigation for potential extremism, particularly when it comes to disseminating harmful information to minors about drugs and suicide. Khaski says police in Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, and Perm are also planning to ban his concerts. Earlier this month, YouTube made one of his music videos unavailable in Russia. (It features a lot of violence and some drug use.)

In mid-November, Meduza reported on a growing backlash in Siberia by parent groups, supported by local police, against hip hop concert performers. For example, the cities of Krasnoyarsk and Kemerovo banned shows by the St. Petersburg group “Friendzone.”