The Russian Ministry of Justice declared Oxxxymiron, one of the country’s most popular rappers, as “foreign agent”a legal designation that has been used to harass Kremlin critics and journalists.
The artist, whose real name is Miron Fyodorovwas added to an updated list of foreign agents along with four journalists and Dmitry Glukhovsky, a prominent writer.
Oxxxymiron, who canceled a scheduled Russian tour in protest due to the invasion of Ukraine, he later left Russia and gave a series of concerts in Turkey, Great Britain and Germany entitled “Russians against the war”.
In late August, authorities said they were investigating his work under the country’s anti-extremism laws. Under Russian law, material designated as “extremist” is effectively prohibited.
The term “foreign agent” subjects those listed to strict financial reporting requirements. It also requires them to preface anything they post with a disclaimer stating that they are foreign agents.
Oxxxymiron, whose lyrics are strongly political and who attended rallies backing imprisoned Kremlin critic Alexey Navalny, was one of Russia’s most prominent rappers before the war and enjoyed huge popularity in a country where hip-hop is a popular genre.
In January, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov praised her work in an interview as “astonishing in its depth.” (Reuters)
Reference-aristeguinoticias.com
