Prague official recommends venue cancels concert by Russian singer Netrebko

Prague deputy mayor for culture Jiří Pospíšil has recommended that the venue the Municipal House not go ahead with a concert by Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko planned for October. The city’s authorities had earlier said they were considering barring the event and Mr. Pospíšil said the matter would be further discussed with the organisers and within Prague’s government.

The official made the comment after talks on Friday with representatives of the embassy of Ukraine, which put Netrebko on its sanctions list after Russia entered the country. The singer previously supported pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine but condemned Russia’s full invasion last year. Critics say she is close to Vladimir Putin.