The Moscow City Court is reviewing the legality of a 30,000 ruble fine imposed on rapper Noize MC, who has been labeled a foreign agent in Russia, for allegedly lacking signs of foreign-agent activity in online publications. This information comes from RIA News and highlights the ongoing legal considerations surrounding Noize MC’s status and any related sanctions.
In the process, Alekseev filed a complaint against the decision rendered by the first instance court. The appellate court has not yet set a date for the hearing. This step marks a continuation of litigation as the artist seeks to challenge the ruling and explore the formal grounds for the fine and its application under the foreign agents law.
Following Russia’s recent military actions in Ukraine, Alekseev left the country. On November 18, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Justice added him to the list of individuals designated as foreign agents. In a September interview with Galina Yuzefovich, Noize MC stated that he did not regret leaving Russia and acknowledged the likelihood of facing obstacles to his creative work once the designation as a foreign agent was in place. The interview underscored the personal and professional tension caused by the status and its implications for artistic activity.
Alekseev also expressed missing the people who remained in Russia and whom he could no longer meet, illustrating the social and emotional dimensions of the political and legal measures in place. This sentiment reflects a broader concern among artists who navigate the pressures of state scrutiny while maintaining connections with supporters back home.
On November 8, Noize MC faced another fine under the foreign agents act, with authorities asserting that the artist did not provide the information required by law. The penalties illustrate ongoing enforcement of regulatory requirements, which many in the public and legal communities continue to monitor as the situation evolves.
The narrative surrounding these events also includes decisions affecting performances by other public figures, such as the former mayor of Vladivostok, who reportedly directed cancellations of concerts by Arbenina and Orbakaite. This aspect adds a broader cultural dimension to the climate of regulatory actions affecting public figures and the arts sector in Russia.