Camilla Jessen
Russian police broke up a punk concert in Moscow and beat spectators who were watching Ukrainian channels on Telegram.
According to independent outlet Meduza, National Guard officers and Moscow police broke up the Harvest Fest punk concert at the Motyga club on January 6.
The show was canceled shortly after security forces arrived.
Eyewitness accounts collected by Meduza say police entered the venue before the concert began, ordered visitors to lie face down on the floor and carried out searches of those present.
Phones checked
Several attendees said officers examined their mobile phones, paying particular attention to Telegram accounts. According to Meduza and investigative outlet Important Stories, security officials were looking for subscriptions to channels linked to “undesirable” or banned organizations.
A source told Important Stories that people following anti-war content were pressured to sign contracts with Russia’s defense ministry. Those who were subscribed to Ukrainian Telegram channels were reportedly beaten.
Use of force alleged
Witnesses described widespread use of force during the operation.
“Bats, stun guns, whatever was necessary,” one source said, according to Meduza.
Police also reportedly used violence against people who moved or resisted in any way. Officers photographed identity documents and recorded phone numbers of concertgoers.
It remains unclear whether any formal detentions were made.
Legal access blocked
According to rights group OVD-Info, police refused to allow lawyer Oskar Cerdjiev to enter the venue. Officers told him that everyone would be released once phone checks were completed.
The concert did not resume after the searches.
The raid followed another cultural intervention the previous day.
On January 5, security forces disrupted a New Year’s performance by the Kirill Ganin Conceptual Theater in Moscow, which featured nude actors.
Media outlets close to law enforcement reported that seven organizers were detained and would face minor hooliganism charges. However, theater director Alexei Filatov told reporters that no violations were found and no charges were filed.
Sources: Meduza, Important Stories, OVD-Info
