Top Russian rapper placed on wanted list – TASS

Morgenstern is under criminal investigation for allegedly violating the law on foreign agents

Russia’s Investigative Committee has placed rapper Alisher Morgenstern on a wanted list, TASS news agency has reported, citing sources in law enforcement.

The singer, a prominent figure in the Russian music scene, has been accused of violating the country’s foreign agents’ law. His placement on the wanted list came as part of the preliminary investigation in a criminal case against him that was launched in September, according to TASS.

The artist’s lawyer, Sergey Zhorin, did not confirm or deny the report, TASS wrote on Monday. The lawyer told the agency however that the investigation had no grounds to search for the rapper.

“My client is not hiding from the investigation; his whereabouts are known to the investigator. Alisher is currently undergoing medical treatment, something he previously publicly announced,” Zhorin said. 

A foreign agent is defined as a person or entity engaged in financial or political activities in the interests of a foreign state. The law was first adopted in 2012 and has been amended several times. Those designated as foreign agents are not prohibited from operating in Russia but are subject to a range of restrictions.

Individuals and entities listed as foreign agents must label all their content accordingly, must regularly submit detailed financial reports to the Justice Ministry and disclose their funding sources. In 2022, foreign agents were banned from holding public office, engaging in educational activities, and receiving state funds. Last year, advertising on platforms belonging to foreign agents was outlawed, while those deemed foreign agents were also prohibited from taking part in elections at any level.

Alisher Morgenstern, born Alisher Valeev, gained prominence in Russia’s music scene with his provocative style and chart-topping hits. His influence extends across various media platforms, with his YouTube channel boasting more than 12 million subscribers.

Morgenstern left Russia and moved to Dubai in 2021 following allegations of drug trafficking made by the head of the country’s Investigative Committee Aleksandr Bastrykin.

Morgenstern was listed as foreign agent in May 2022. According to the Justice Ministry, the rapper had been engaged in “political activities” and received an equivalent of nearly $300,000 from Israel and Ukraine between 2020 to 2022. The money was allegedly intended as payment for posts the artist made on his Telegram channel.

READ MORE: Russian MPs to vote on stricter ‘foreign agent’ rules

The rapper was also fined multiple times for failing to properly label his content. His property in Russia has also been seized.

Morgenstern has consistently denied the allegations and contested his designation as a foreign agent in court. If found guilty, the rapper faces up to two years in prison.