The police in Yekaterinburg, Russia, apprehended a local street musician after he played songs in support of a St. Petersburg street band that gained popularity for their anti-Kremlin performances, according to the rights organization OVD-Info on Tuesday.
Yevgeny Mikhailov, who goes by the stage name Zhenka Radost, faced charges of minor hooliganism and was held at a police station overnight, awaiting a court appearance.
The charges reportedly stemmed from the use of profanity in one of the songs he performed, which could result in up to 15 days of administrative detention.
“I’m doing well, and the trial is tomorrow,” wrote Mikhailov, who has been performing in the streets of Yekaterinburg for over three years, on his Telegram channel.
He expressed that he felt inspired to be “bolder and more expressive” following the recent arrest of the Stoptime trio, whose members received sentences of 12 to 13 days of administrative detention for obstructing pedestrian access to a metro station while busking in St. Petersburg.
Diana Loginova, the lead vocalist known as Naoko, also faced charges for “discrediting” the Russian military. This minor offense can incur a fine, and if repeated within a year, could lead to criminal charges.
Investigators claimed that Loginova “discredited” the military because citizens of Ukraine listen to the original song she covers during drone attacks on their residences.
Stoptime’s arrest coincided with the release of a viral video featuring the band performing a prohibited song that references the Ozero dacha cooperative linked to allies of President Vladimir Putin and the ballet Swan Lake, which has come to symbolize the passing of a Soviet leader.
In response to the arrest, musicians and social media users throughout Russia have started performing the songs associated with Stoptime and posting videos under the hashtag meaning “Free Naoko.” The movement’s symbol—depicting ballet dancers—has emerged on flyers and protest art in various cities.