Rights court backs Lithuanian ban on pro-war Russian pop star 

(CN) — Europe’s top rights court upheld a decision by Lithuania to ban a Russian musician from entering the country, finding the singer was a “tool of soft power” for Moscow. 

Judges at the European Court of Human Rights rejected a complaint from Philipp Kirkorov, who was barred from entering the Baltic country in 2021, finding the decision was based on objective and reasonable information. 

The Bulgarian-born pop star and record producer claimed Vilnius had violated his right to freedom of expression when it slapped him with a five-year entry ban for making pro-war statements, including saying that the “return” of the Crimean Peninsula to Russia would be “a glorious and victorious event.”

“The court is satisfied that the domestic authorities credibly demonstrated that the entry ban imposed on the applicant was necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, and/or the prevention of disorder,” the Strasbourg-based court wrote. 

The 56-year-old was a frequent visitor to Lithuania before the ban and had several concerts scheduled in the country which he was forced to cancel. Kirkorov appealed the ban in Lithuania but the country’s Supreme Court determined the move was justified. 

Kirkorov has often courted controversy during his two decades in the limelight. In a notorious 2004 incident, he told a female journalist he was “tired of her tits” after she asked him why so many of his songs were covers. When she left the news conference, she was attacked by his bodyguards. 

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he has repeatedly defended the war. Kirkorov gave a concert to Russian soldiers in annexed Crimea in 2022, calling them heroes. 

Last year, Ukraine imposed sanctions on Kirkorov and he has also been banned from entry into Estonia. 

More recently, Kirkorov has found himself in hot water in Russia. He attended an “Almost Naked” party in Moscow in February. The gathering — where attendees wore only lingerie or leather — drew criticism from conservatives in the country. Kirkorov was forced to apologize, claiming he didn’t know what the party was about. He had a series of TV performances canceled after the incident. 

Follow @mollyquell

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