Madonna And Lady Gaga Face Prosecution For Entering Russia On The Wrong Visa

Mike Wass | August 2, 2013 3:31 pm

Madonna and Lady Gaga face potential prosecution from Russian officials after entering the country on the wrong visa. Ever the innovator, Madonna entered Russia with incorrect paperwork first. She brought her MDNA tour to the former superpower in August 2012 under a cultural-exchange visa. According to authorities, that document doesn’t allow for commercial activity. Like selling tens of thousands of concert tickets.

Four months later Gaga followed in the pop icon’s footsteps and made the same mistake. It’s an unfortunate oversight on their behalf but why is this all coming to light now? It turns out the man behind the investigation is Vitaly Milonov, who authored Russia’s infamous law banning gay “propaganda” (and fueling homophobia). You might remember when the gay icons showed their support for LGBTI issues at shows, Milonov tried and failed to sue them for “promoting sodomy, lesbianism, bisexuality and transgenderism among minors”. Looks like he’s a bad loser.

The ultimate victims here aren’t Lady Gaga or Madonna but your average Russian citizen. Not only are their basic human rights being violated but if the pop star duo get prosecuted, they won’t even be able to see their favorite western performers in concert. How long before this vile legislation is repealed?

Share your thoughts on this issue in the comments below.

[Via The Guardian].