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A rock group the USA have been banned performing a music festival Russia a band member stuffed the Russian flag inside his pants. Jared Hasselhoff, the bass player the band Bloodhound Gang, was filmed pushing the flag the front of his pants and pulling it the back. The band were performing a concert the Ukrainian city of Odessa on July 31st. Hasselhoff grabbed the flag and yelled to the crowd, "Don't tell Putin," his stunt. His antics led Russia's Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky to describe the band as "idiots" and banned them playing their scheduled slot at Russia's Kubana music festival this week. Hasselhoff later apologised his actions.

The band are still Russia and may face criminal charges. Alexander Tkachyov, the governor the region holding the festival, tweeted: “For such pranks they should be behind bars.” Russian lawmaker Vladimir Markin told reporters: "A crime defined Article 329 of the Russian Criminal Code is the defiling the Russian state flag. This crime has been committed and this is a premeditated offense." He added: "We will do our best to identify and bring to court every person involved." A comment posted the Voice of Russia website called Hasselhoff's actions an "unpardonable and inexcusable criminal act" that breached Russian laws and insulted Russians worldwide.