Ukraine's Eurovision Winner Becomes Wanted by Russia
Russia places Ukrainian Eurovision winner on wanted list, claims state media
Russian state media outlet TASS reported on Monday that Jamala, the Ukrainian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, has been listed as a wanted criminal by Russia.
According to TASS, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs search database stated that the performer is mentioned "under a provision of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation." Nevertheless, TASS stated that the specific article was not indicated in the database.
The Ukrainian singer holds the Eurovision trophy.
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Law enforcement agencies told TASS that it "may be related to the case of disseminating fake news about the Russian army."
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Sweden's Loreen secures a groundbreaking second Eurovision triumph after a moving performance in the UK that honored Ukraine. Additionally, in April 2022, Jamala was included in a roster of Ukrainian artists facing a 50-year prohibition from entering Russia, as stated by the publication.
In 2016, Jamala emerged as the victorious winner of the widely acclaimed Eurovision Song Contest. She accomplished this feat by delivering a stirring and thought-provoking performance, which paid homage to the painful history of her Crimean Tatar ethnic group during World War II. The inspiration for her emotionally charged song stemmed from a poignant tale relayed to her by her great-grandmother, detailing the harrowing experience of their family and other individuals subjected to forcible relocation in Crimea.
European media reports considered the performance of the song, "1944," as a potent condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's military intervention in Ukraine in 2014, particularly the annexation of Crimea. Russian state media labeled it as anti-Russian, with Moscow accusing the song of breaching Eurovision rules.
In 2022, Ukraine won Eurovision again thanks to folk-rap group Kalush Orchestras song "Stefania," which was written about the frontmans mother.
A welcome party for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is held outside St. George's Hall, Liverpool
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Amidst the outbreak of war, they escaped Ukraine and are now organizing a celebration for their motherland. Utilizing the generosity of European nations, the country emerged victorious for the third time, triumphing over their main competitors, the United Kingdom and Spain, in the competition hosted in the Italian city of Turin.
Due to the Russian full-scale invasion, Ukraine, the winning nation, was unable to host the following year's contest. Stepping in, the UK - the second-placed nation - successfully secured Liverpool over other British cities to stage the contest in May.
Swedens Loreen won the 2023 event, becoming just the second performer to win the competition more than once, clinching victory with pop ballad "Tattoo."
