Social activists at the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs decided to take part in Vaikule concerts
The Public Council under the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for the city of Moscow initiated an inspection of the concert activities of foreign artists in Russia, including an inspection regarding the legality of the performances of the Latvian singer Laima Vaikule, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
This was reported by RBC with reference to the head of the working group on crime in the economic sphere of the public council under the Moscow Ministry of Internal Affairs, Alexander Khaminsky.
“Only the day before yesterday I initiated this check, so the check will now take place. Not only in relation to Laima Vaikule, but in general both in relation to foreign artists who come to us on tour, and domestic stars,” he noted.
According to Khaminsky, this is his second year dealing with the issue of taxation of performers who perform at corporate events and private parties. He clarified that it is planned to create a special tax regime for such artists, and fines will be introduced for those who violate it.
“What difference does it make - a singer, a taxi driver, a builder? We had problems getting our neighbors from Central Asia to work. Now each of them can buy a patent - the right to stay and work in Russia. The entire corruption component was taken and closed. I'm sorry, but how does a Tajik differ from Laima Vaikule from a legal point of view and the status of a foreign citizen? Everyone is equal before the law,” Khaminsky explained.
He noted that foreign artists most often enter Russia on a multiple-entry tourist visa and use it to perform at corporate and private events. “Today, even participating in a big concert with posters allows them to come, perform quickly and leave just as quickly,” the social activist explained.
However, for commercial performances, the artist must have an ordinary work visa, and for free concerts, an ordinary humanitarian visa. “If you violate the requirements of the law, administrative liability arises under Art. 18.10 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Russia (illegal employment by a foreign citizen or stateless person in Russia),” he added.
For illegal performance in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow or Leningrad regions, you face a fine of 5 thousand to 7 thousand rubles. and mandatory administrative deportation from Russia, in other cities and regions - a fine from 2 thousand to 5 thousand rubles with possible administrative deportation, he specified.
On August 14, Laima Vaikule said in an interview with the Odessa publication Dumskaya that she was ready to visit Crimea only after sanctions were lifted, and until then she would not come to the peninsula even for a fee. “We are not allowed. To us, Europeans,” the singer added, referring to the fact that the official position of EU countries, including her native Latvia, is to not recognize the Russian status of Crimea.
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