Duma deputy to file criminal complaint against Boris Grebenshchikov, world music trailblazer and war opponent

State Duma Deputy Biysultan (“Sultan”) Khamzaev promised to file a criminal complaint against Boris Grebenshchikov, lead singer of Aquarium and pioneer of early Russian rock music, now exiled in London. The deputy plans to appeal to the Investigative Committee in connection with an interview Grebenshchikov gave last year.

Khamzaev wants to draw the authorities’ attention to Grebenshchikov’s sharp criticisms of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as possibly “discrediting” the Russian military, and aiding terrorism and extremism.

The deputy is likely to be referring to Grebenshchikov’s interview to the Israeli Channel 9. On January 12, seven months after publication, the Russian propagandist Armen Gasparyan drew attention to the YouTube video, claiming that Grebenshchikov had “called all the Russians fascists.”

In the interview, Grebenshchikov describes the Russian regime’s actions in Ukraine as “fascism.” “One nation destroying another, solely on the basis of national identity — what’s this? Isn’t it fascism? It’s fascism,” he says.

• With the start of the invasion, Boris Grebenshchikov left Russia and settled in the UK. His name has since been added to unofficial lists of artists not recommended to perform in Russia.