Russia prosecutes veteran rock star for criticizing Ukraine conflict {Yuri Shevchuk}

Arab news ^ | 20 May 2022 | AFP

[Cronos]

MOSCOW: Soviet rock legend and outspoken Kremlin critic Yuri Shevchuk has been charged with “discrediting” the Russian army after condemning Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine during a concert.

Shevchuk faces a maximum fine of 50,000 rubles (770 euros, $800) if found guilty.

A case has been launched against him for “publicly discrediting the use of Russia’s armed forces,” a court in the city of Ufa in central Russia told the RIA Novosti news agency.

RIA Novosti said the case would be transferred to Shevchuk’s hometown Saint Petersburg.

On May 18, the 65-year-old performer told his audience in Ufa that it “is not the president’s ass that needs to be licked and kissed,” according to videos posted online. “Now people are being killed in Ukraine. Why? Our guys are dying in Ukraine. Why?” he told a cheering crowd.

The frontman of the 1980s Soviet rock band DDT, Shevchuk has over the years publicly criticized President Vladimir Putin and opposed the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

[Cronos]

He gave a concert in Russian city of Ufa yesterday (stadium was full of people as always). This is what he said during the concert:

“Motherland is not about kissing president’s ass. Motherland is an old poor lady who sells potatoes at a railway station to make her ends meet. This is Motherland”

“A lot of people are being killed in Ukraine - why? Our young boys die there - why? What are our goals in Ukraine? “

Police came to him after the concert, talked for an hour and did NOT arrest him. He is formally under investigation, but my bet is that he will NOT be jailed. Blaming him for being enemy of Russian is so bizarre considering his track record. Probably this will be yet another event that would shift Russian public opinion further towards condemning the war.

[Born in 1950]

Show me ‘round your snow-peaked mountains way down south,
Take me to your daddy's farm.
Let me hear your balalaikas ringing out,
Come and keep your comrade warm.

[ought-six]

Yet I’m sure there are FReepers who will say he should have been sent to a gulag, because he spoke ill of the Putin regime.

[ought-six]

Great song by a great band.

[Renfrew]

It’s amazing how many Freepers envy a regime that locks up anyone who criticizes the government.

They somehow have complete blindness to the notion that any regime like that in America would be sending them to an Alaskan gulag.

[Lurker]

He must be a Nazi.

L

[alloysteel]

The Russian army is not really composed of sharp and dedicated superman soldiers ten feet tall. Mostly conscripts, who in the manner learned under years of Soviet control, they are largely dispirited and not really keen on the “Mother Russia” appeal to patriotism.

The Ukrainians are really much more disciplined and dedicated to the defense of what they see as the homeland, because for them, this struggle is existential. For the Russian army, this was just another dismal chore.

[ought-six]

“They somehow have complete blindness to the notion that any regime like that in America would be sending them to an Alaskan gulag.”

Or some federal cell where they are held incommunicado and kept in solitary confinement.

[lee martell]

This is the sort of thing Biden wants to openly do without having to explain or pretend to apologize for it.
Merrick Garland awaits his master’s call.

[M Kehoe]

Have you ever seen Sweet Home Alabama performed by the Leningrad Cowboys?

5.56mm

[fishtank]

An older clip of Shevchuk criticizing Putin…to his face.

Rock Star Tells Putin Russia Ruled by Privileged Class of ‘Dukes’

https://youtu.be/zMn9jV_1k4Q

[Clay Moore]

“Have you ever seen Sweet Home Alabama performed by the Leningrad Cowboys?”

They have some great concerts on YouTube. I have become quite a fan.

[mac_truck]

Police came to him after the concert, talked for an hour and did NOT arrest him.

[Mount Athos]

How does this potential $800 court fine compare to how these Ukrainian citizen critics of Zelensky were torture killed by Ukrainian extremists? Extra-judicial killing. Former commander of Azov Maksim Zhorin, now one of the leaders of their political wing (the 'National Corps' party), boasts on his Telegram channel about the murders of people accused of being 'pro-Russian' in Severodonetsk: (complete with smiley emojis and taunts)







zelensky imprisoned the leader of the #3 vote getting party in Ukraine, tried to do the same to the leader of the #2 party. Banned opposition political parties and shut down tv stations critical of him.

You think Ukraine is a bastion of Freedom and Democracy?

Remember, the Ukrainian government was HAND PICKED by Victoria Nuland in 2014. What kind of election is that? A country that had voted 50% pro russian suddenly had a government that was extremist anti-Russian, and sent extremists to ethnically cleanse and torture ethnic Russians in the east who didn't want to be governed by this hand picked government set against them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoW75J5bnnE

[Kazan]

Meanwhile, Zelensky has banned or suspended all opposition parties, imprisoned opposition leaders and shutdown opposition media outlets.

Ukraine's SBU has killed, imprisoned and interrogated those opposed to the way Ukraine is conducting the war. YouTuber Gonazlo Lira, an American citizen, was among those detained and interrogated.

And, oh yeah, the Ukrainians use neo-Nazis as frontline fighters.

Enough of simplistic propaganda of Russia evil, Ukraine good. Ukraine far more resembles the old Soviet Union.

[tlozo]

charged with “discrediting” the Russian army

I think the whole Russian army should be charged with “discrediting” the Russian army.

[tlozo]

You think Ukraine is a bastion of Freedom and Democracy?

Yes, Ukraine is a bastion of Freedom and Democracy, compared to Russia. As for any killings that have occurred, the war and all its evil is the sole result of Putin's invasion.

[M Kehoe]

“Yuri Shevchuk has been charged with “discrediting” the Russian army...”

Arab News

I don’t know about now, but VII Corp, two MEUs and air dominance would have all the Ukraine in two weeks, three tops.

Ivan has a problem with his military.

5.56mm

[daniel1212]

" Russia prosecutes veteran rock star for criticizing Ukraine conflict {Yuri Shevchuk} 5/20/2022, Arab news ^ | 20 May 2022 | AFP MOSCOW: Soviet rock legend and outspoken Kremlin critic Yuri Shevchuk has been charged with “discrediting” the Russian army after condemning Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine during a concert. Shevchuk faces a maximum fine of 50,000 rubles (770 euros, $800) if found guilty. A case has been launched against him for “publicly discrediting the use of Russia’s armed forces,” " And so pro-Putin posters would never be able to criticize the government as they can do here.