Authorities claimed that three prominent Russian metal band members had been arrested for allegedly flashing “Nazi symbols” during a concert.
The band Korrozia Metalla, with members ages 19, 42, and 57, was charged with “propaganda or public display of Nazi accessories or symbols” after the arrests late on Saturday, according to regional police in Nizhny Novgorod, in western Russia.
“Police officers with the support of the national guard arrested three members of a music band in one of Nizhny Novgorod’s clubs,” police added in a statement.
The offence is usually punishable by a fine or a short period of administrative detention.
Police said they seized T-shirts and books “displaying banned symbols”.
Band manager Maria Rounova told state news agency TASS the motifs in question are “old Slavic symbols”.
Frontman Sergey Troitsky said in a post on social media Sunday that the band’s drummer was in a coma after being attacked by “three bullies”.
Social media users have posted pictures of security personnel barging into the performance hall and ordering attendees to lie on the ground.
Under mounting pressure, Moscow has clamped down on dissent and free expression since it ignited the conflict in Ukraine more than two years ago.
