Diana Loginova in court on 29 October 2025. Photo: Mediazona
A Russian street musician who was jailed in St. Petersburg earlier this month for performing songs by anti-war artists has been ordered to spend an additional 13 days in custody on two misdemeanour counts, independent news outlet Mediazona reported on Wednesday.
Diana Loginova, who performs under the pseudonym Naoko with the band Stoptime, was fined 30,000 rubles (€320) on Tuesday for “discrediting the Russian military” for performing the song You are a Soldier by the exiled Russian singer Monetochka. The song’s lyrics include the lines: “And whatever war you are fighting, Sorry, I’ll be on the other side.”
The court sentenced Loginova to two additional 13-day terms on Wednesday for “organising a mass event” and “petty hooliganism” for allegedly using swear words in a public place, however, they will be served concurrently.
Stoptime’s guitarist, Alexander Orlov, was sentenced to the same 13-day prison term on Wednesday for “organising a mass event”. Meanwhile, little is known about the band’s drummer, Vladislav Leontyev, who was due to complete his prison sentence on Tuesday evening, but does not appear to have left the detention centre and his family has been unable to contact him since then.
Loginova and Orlov were both due to complete their initial prison sentences of 13 and 12 days, respectively, earlier this week. However, immediately after their release they were both detained and taken to a police station, raising concerns that they had been caught up in a so-called “jail carousel” — a practice whereby dissidents are repeatedly imprisoned for minor offences while the police build a more serious case against them.
In Loginova’s case, she may be facing a second charge of “discrediting the military” for performing Svetlaya Polosa (Silver Lining), a song by exiled Russian rapper Noize MC. If found guilty of re-offending, Loginova may face a larger fine and a prison term of up to five years.
In a short video message sent from the court hall, Loginova and Orlov thanked their supporters and announced their engagement. According to the St. Petersburg outlet Bumaga, Orlov proposed to Loginova in a police van on 17 October, shortly after their initial arrest, using a ring made from a napkin in a cigarette box.
