Alexey Navalny, a prominent Russian opposition leader planning to challenge President Vladimir Putin in next year’s election, was found guilty this week of repeatedly calling for unlawful protests — there were major anti-corruption demonstrations across Russia this weekend — and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, according to news reports.
His response? Before being led out of court Monday, Navalny tweeted: “30 days. Not only they robbed the whole country, but I’ll miss Depeche Mode concert in Moscow because of them.”
30 суток. Мало того, что они всю страну разворовали, так я ещё из-за них концерт Depeche Mode в Москве пропущу.
— Alexey Navalny (@navalny) June 12, 2017
Depeche Mode’s months-long Global Spirit Tour, which reusmes Sunday in Zurich, Switzerland, will reach Moscow on July 15. It’s one of two concerts in Russia on the current tour, with another two concerts planned for the former Soviet republics of Ukraine and Belarus.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Trent Reznor on seeing Depeche Mode in 1986: ‘It was spiritual and truly magic’
- Watch: Depeche Mode covers David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ at ‘Spirit’ tour opener — full setlist
- Listen: Dave Gahan talks ’70s punk, formation of Depeche Mode on Nerdist podcast
- Watch: Depeche Mode plays ‘Where’s the Revolution’ on ‘The Late Late Show’
- Depeche Mode unveils 28-date fall North American leg of Global Spirit Tour
