Following the cancelation of Ildar Abdraekov’s performance at the Teatro San Carlo, Vice President of the European Parliament Pina Picierno has released a statement applauding teh decision.

Picierno took to social media and said, “Abdrazakov is one of Vladimir Putin’s loyalists, and listed among the ‘war enablers,’ that is, among the active supporters of the war by the Anti-Corruption Foundation of #Navalny, for his active support of the regime and the war criminal Vladimir Putin. He was supposed to participate in the theatre season at the San Carlo in Naples but it will not happen. I am pleased to share important news: the Municipality of Naples and the Management of the Teatro San Carlo have accepted my request – and that of many citizens and associations – to cancel the participation of Ildar Abdrazakov in the opera season of the Theater. We will not be wronged to see on the stage of one of the most prestigious cultural institutions in Europe a supporter of a criminal regime. Thanks to everyone.”

Abdrazakov was set to perform productions of “Don Carlo” and Attila” but after open letters to the theater and an article in the Huffington Post condemning the bass’s participation at the theater, the company opted to cancel his contracts. Abdrazakov has been an open supporter of Putin since the beginning of the war having endorsed him earlier this year. He was later named a Member of Russia’s Presidential Council, received the Russian State Prize, and performed at the BRIC summit. While the bass has performed in Japan and Ravenna recently, Abdrazakov’s performances at the Teatro alla Scala, Zurich Opera, Paris Opera, and Wiener Staatsoper have been canceled.

John Relyea will replace Abdrazakov in “Don Carlo” while the company has yet to announce a replacement for “Attila.”