An 18-year-old street singer in St. Petersburg, Russia, has been detained for an additional 3 days for ‘petty hooliganism’ after her performance of anti-Kremlin songs went viral. The artist, known by her stage name Naoko, was first detained on October 15 when police arrested her following the spread of a video showing her and her bandmates performing songs by artists designated as ‘foreign agents’ by the Russian government.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of free expression in Russia, where critics argue that the government is using laws to suppress artistic dissent. Naoko’s case illustrates the risks faced by musicians and performers who challenge state ideology, as her detention highlights the complex relationship between cultural expression and political power.
Russian authorities have not publicly commented on Naoko’s continued detention, but the situation has prompted international observers to closely monitor developments. The case has also raised questions about the legal framework surrounding so-called ‘petty hooliganism’ and how it is applied to artists who use performance as a form of political commentary.