One of Russia's most prominent rappers is attacked in St. Petersburg

Not far from his hotel room in St. Petersburg, Vyacheslav “MC Gnoiny” Karelin was attacked by unknown persons on Monday, November 5, according to the artist's manager, Andrey Zamai. Karelin was reportedly en route to a concert at the club “Aurora.”

“They beat him and yelled that he should apologize for his work,” Zamai said, calling the beating “an attack on free speech.” Karelin has already filed a police report.

According to the tabloid-connected Telegram channel Mash, Karelin says he escaped the attack with “just a few scratches.” His concert planned for the evening of November 6 will take place as scheduled.