The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) upheld Lithuania’s barring of entry of Russian pop singer Philipp Kirkorov, indicating concerns about his potential role as a conduit for Russian propaganda in former Soviet States. The court relied on Lithuania’s Law on the Legal Status of Aliens to rule on the legality of the decision. This law, under Article 98, empowers authorities to refuse entry into the country if the individual is seen as a threat to security or public order.
The ECHR further affirmed that Lithuanian authorities regarded Kirkorov’s concerts in Crimea as endorsement for Russia’s policy of aggression and intrusion in the region. Particular attention was paid to his influence on the Russian-speaking populace of the area, which includes Lithuania, terming it a potential threat to the country’s national security. The belief was that Kirkorov’s presence and activities could incite tensions and instability within Lithuania.
The court also factored in the Seimas’ Resolution on the Approval of the National Security Strategy into its argument that also identifies certain challenges to information, such as the propagation of propaganda by state and non-state actors, as threats to national security. The court highlighted Kirkorov’s public statements and conduct, inclusive of his self-description as Vladimir Putin’s representative, as support for Russia’s hostile stance in the region. This, the court held, warranted the decision to deny him access to the country.
Previously, Kirkorov, a Russian national, had challenged the prohibition, asserting that his focus was on his artistry and not politics, and his songs largely concentrated on non-political themes. He contended that the ban violated his freedom of expression and led to financial losses because of the subsequent cancellation of his concerts in Lithuania.