Prague mulls barring concert by Russian singer Netrebko

Prague’s authorities are considering banning a concert by the Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko set to take place in the city in October, Seznam Zprávy reported.  The news site said the event’s organiers would seek financial compensation from the city if it is blocked.

Netrebko was placed on a Ukrainian sanctions list following Russia’s invasion of the country. In the past the opera singer repeatedly backed pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. While she has condemned Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine last year, she has refused to criticise Vladimir Putin, to whom critics say she is close.