Both musicians have been blacklisted at the recommendation of the State Security Service (VDD), the Minister of the Interior explained in a conversation with Latvian Television.
“The basic message is about supporting aggression against Ukraine, about participation in public events in the occupied territories. We as Latvia support Ukraine and will continue to do so, so this is definitely unacceptable to us in this case,” the minister said.
According to the information available to the VDD, Bregović has made several appearances in occupied Crimea since 2014. The musician has also frequently expressed his support for the aggressor Russia in public, while spreading discrediting messages against Western countries. Orbakaitė has also performed in Crimea after the occupation and has participated in various Russian propaganda events.
“In the assessment of the VDD, the performance of persons supporting Russian aggression in Latvia is not in the national security interests of our country, as it may promote inter-ethnic tensions in Latvian society,” the VDD said in a written comment.
Both blacklisted musicians were scheduled to perform in Latvia this summer and tickets have already gone on sale. The concerts are now likely to be cancelled.
The VDD and the Ministry of the Interior call on event organisers to carefully assess guest artists – if a person performs in Russia or its occupied territories in Ukraine, this is considered to be support for Russian aggression and war crimes.
Last year, 480 foreigners were added to Latvia’s black list on the recommendation of various security services.
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