The frontman of the band Accident, Alexei Kortnev, faces potential corrective actions lasting up to a year or a fine, after a criminal case was opened accusing him of insulting a state official under Article 319 of the Russian Criminal Code, as reported by TASS. The allegation centers on remarks directed at a government employee during what organizers and witnesses described as a tense moment around a performance.
Kortnev confirmed his readiness to cooperate with authorities. He told reporters that he would consult with his legal team and travel to Novosibirsk, stressing that all proceedings would stay within the law. He argued that the accusations were unwarranted and said he believed the case had been mishandled from the start.
Earlier reports from February claimed the musician was detained in Novosibirsk. Kortnev denied these claims, saying there was no detention and no insult committed during the tour. He explained that a complaint from a UK-based employee had been filed, alleging inappropriate behavior, but since no improper act occurred, the case did not progress further. He added that there was no evidence supporting the accusation.
Local outlets described a disturbance at a venue where Accident was scheduled to perform, with smoke appearing inside the building. Police units and firefighters responded to the scene. Accounts collected by reporters indicated that during the dispute, Kortnev allegedly exposed his middle finger to a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The musician has not publicly elaborated on the incident beyond his general stance that the events were mishandled.
In a February interview with NSN, Kortnev suggested that the concert disruption in Novosibirsk could be linked to his public stance on military operations in Ukraine. He noted that police officers were courteous, even exchanging greetings with him at the scene. The artist has long been associated with pacifist beliefs and has emphasized the importance of a peaceful future for his family.
Kortnev has articulated a desire for calm and reconciliation in the region, especially for his four sons. He has used his platform to critique aggressive rhetoric and to advocate for nonviolent solutions. In a song released during a recent period of social tension, he challenged the popular slogan We Can Repeat and questioned the message it sends to supporters and vehicle owners alike, calling for reflection rather than reflexive action.
During 2022, coverage by RIA Novosti highlighted Kortnev’s outspoken opposition to certain government policies regarding Ukraine after the onset of military operations. He described the Kremlin’s actions as monstrous, urging fellow citizens to question leadership decisions. This stance resulted in a wave of concert cancellations for Accident and in at least one instance, an attempted disruption outside a venue in Nizhny Novgorod where activists reportedly blocked entry to the audience. Kortnev, however, stated that the show would go on, taking a pragmatic view of the challenges and maintaining that reporting and calm dialogue should prevail over confrontation. He added that he would not involve the police and believed that those efforts were not their responsibility, while his group’s priority remained delivering performances for their fans.
As the situation unfolds, observers note that Kortnev’s position on social and political matters continues to shape public perception of Accident. Supporters emphasize the artist’s commitments to peace and his willingness to address difficult topics through art, while critics scrutinize the extent to which political controversy intersects with live music and crowd safety. The case remains under review, with prosecutors and defense counsel navigating questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the responsibilities of public figures during times of national debate. The situation is monitored by media outlets and legal experts who stress careful, fact-based reporting and the protection of civil dialogue in public spaces. The broader implications for artists in the region who choose to weigh in on political matters are part of the ongoing conversation surrounding freedom of expression in contemporary Russian cultural life, and they continue to influence how audiences engage with music, protest, and social commentary.