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'Bloodhound Gang' Kicked Out Of Russia For Flag Desecration


A Russian flag features the likeness of President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
A Russian flag features the likeness of President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Russian officials say the Bloodhound Gang, a provocative U.S. rock group, has left Russia after their headlining festival appearance was canceled over their alleged desecration of the Russian flag in another country.

The Kubana festival in southern Russian canceled the band's appearance after videos emerged of bass player Jared Hasselhoff shoving a Russian flag down his trousers at a concert in Ukraine.

Videos posted online of the July 31 concert in Odesa show Hasselhoff pushing the Russian flag down the front of his trousers and shouting to the audience: "Don't tell Putin," a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Russia's Federal Migration Service told ITAR-TASS the musicians were forced to leave the country because the bass player's behavior in Ukraine had violated Russian law.

Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, AP, and Reuters.

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

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