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Members of the Bloodhound Gang could face up to five years in prison for 'desecrating' the Russian flag on stage, as their Government's Investigative Committee issue a statement against the rockers' alleged actions.
The allegations surround an incident where the band's bassist shoved the country's flag down the front of his pants - and removing it from the rear. The band were banned from the country after a recent show in the Ukrainian city of Odessa bass player Jared Hasselhoff stuffed the Russian flag down the front of his pants before pulling it out the rear. “Don’t tell Putin,” Hasselhoff was heard telling the crowd.
The band had been set to perform at the Kubana festival in Russia this week but were then banned from the event following intervention from Russian Culture Minister Vladimir Madinsky. It emerged this week that two members of the Gang have been named as suspects in a case carried out by The Investigative Committee - who are investigating charges of "inciting hatred in an organised group."
Now, Russian authorities have issued the following statement: “According to the findings of the comprehensive psycho-linguistic forensic examination, Hennegan’s actions committed with the use of the national flag of Russia are derogatory in nature and can be perceived as a desecration of a national symbol.
”Moyer, Hennegan, and other unknown persons entered a criminal plot aimed at disgracing Russian citizens and formed a criminal group to that end.”
The charge of 'inciting enmity and humiliating human dignity' carries a sentence in Russia of up to five years in prison.
Watch the band's onstage stunt in Russia below
Hasselhoff and frontman Jimmy Pop stand accused of plotting the act as a means of "humiliating the human dignity of citizens of Russia".
Bloodhound Gang are yet to comment on the charges.
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