The Serbian musician Goran Bregović and his band were denied entry to Moldova after landing at the Chisinau Airport on Sunday, with Moldovan authorities citing security reasons.

Bregović and the band were supposed to be the headliners of an open-air concert to take place later that same day, and while the organizers apologized after the incident, the Moldovan Border Police claimed they had been informed in advance about an active ban being imposed on the musician last year.

According to the Border Police, a total 29 foreigners were denied entry to Moldova on Sunday “based on risk analysis and information received from the Security and Intelligence Service as well as from international partners”.

“As concerns the publicized case of a foreign performer recently barred from entering Moldova, the organizers had been informed in advance, before his arrival, about a ban being in effect since 2022”, the Border Police said in a press release.

The organizers of Gustar Music Festival, where Bregović was slated to perform, apologized in a Facebook post that also offered the musician’s reaction: “We were very disappointed when we were not allowed into Moldova at the Chisinau airport without any official explanation. I tour extensively with my musicians all over Europe and have never had any difficulties anywhere. I love your country very much and it is a pleasure for me to respond to the opportunity to perform in Moldova, especially at such a colourful and unique festival as Gustar. I am very sorry that I have been deprived of the joy and pleasure of appearing in front of you this time. But I can assure you that together with my team we will try to ensure my shows in Moldova next time will not meet any obstacles”.

Meanwhile, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded an official explanation. Ivica Dačić, the foreign minister, was quoted as saying that the ban “does not befit the traditional friendly relations between Serbia and the Republic of Moldova”, adding that incident “has stirred an extremely negative reaction among Serbians”.

Contacted by IPN, sources within the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited the Border Police’s argument that the musician has had an active ban on him since 2022, adding that the Ministry’s staff are in contact with their Serbian colleagues over the issue.