The SBU Security Service of Ukraine has commented on an alleged ban on entry to Ukraine for Swedish recording artist Alban Nwapa (stage name Dr. Alban), saying only Russian citizens are subject to vetting to check whether they have visited Russia-occupied Crimea in breach of Ukrainian laws.
Read alsoRFE/RL: Ukraine's Security Service says not aware of entry ban for Dr. Alban
"In relation to the said foreigner, the Security Service of Ukraine did not make any decision to ban entry into the territory of Ukraine. At the same time, we note that under the law of Ukraine on tour activity, the Security Service of Ukraine screens citizens of the aggressor state only," it said, responding to an inquiry about Dr. Alban, which came from the Civil Oversight Council under the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).
As UNIAN reported earlier, in December, Nwapa on his Instagram account thanked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for allegedly interceding in having the authorities allow him to cross into Ukraine.
The singer had previously done a gig in Crimea and allegedly broke Ukrainian law by not receiving permission through the proper channels.