Say Agency says inquiry found no fraud in Kanye West concert preparations

Say Agency representative Alexander Panin said on October 13 that a prosecutorial inquiry into preparations for Kanye West’s St Petersburg concerts found no signs of fraud. That is the organiser’s account; prosecutors have not published an official statement.

Panin told REN TV the shows had been agreed with Gazprom Arena although no contract was signed. The stadium previously said it had not concluded an agreement with the organiser. The agency’s claim of coordination therefore does not establish that a contract existed.

The concerts were scheduled for October 10 and 11 but did not take place. Panin said Say Agency had started refunding tickets. He did not rule out rescheduling, but no new dates were announced.

Fontanka reported that the inquiry followed a ticket buyer’s complaint. On October 1, State Duma member Mikhail Romanov received a prosecutorial response confirming checks of consumer-rights compliance and other issues. Panin’s statement about fraud does not provide the findings on all those matters.