Crimea river: sanctions threaten Timberlake and Miley gigs

Justin Timberlake and Miley Cyrus both have concerts scheduled for the Hartwell arena in Helsinki, Finland – a music venue owned by Gennady Tymchenko and brothers Boris and Arkady Rotenberg.

Mr Tymchenko and the Rotenburg brothers are all included on the list of visa bans and asset freezes imposed by the US on Russia in response to Moscow’s annexation of Crimea – prompting the concert organisers to contact US authorities over any potential impact.

Live Nation Finland said its lawyers were discussing whether the sanctions against the venue’s owners would bar planned shows by the American artists.

“We are examining the possibility whether this could have an impact on American artists’ shows,” said Nina Castren, the chief executive of Live Nation Finland.

“If it does, then we will need to come up with a different solution. But I believe that the problem will be solved and the concerts will be held,” she said.

Timberlake is due to play a sold-out show at the stadium in May, and Cyrus is scheduled to perform there in June.

Mr Tymchenko and the Rotenbergs bought a stake in Helsinki ice-hockey team Jokerit along with the arena, which is the team’s home, last year.

Tymchenko’s and the Rotenbergs’ company in Finland, Arena Events Oy, could not be immediately reached for comment.

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