The performance of Russian comedian and showman Maxim Galkin will be held in Tbilisi on February 11 at the grand concert hall, biletebi.ge, a local ticketing platform said on Thursday, following its previous allegations that the comedian’s concert in October was canceled due to “political reasons”. 

As it was reported in the summer, proceeds would be used to help Ukrainian refugees, as Gakin left Russia in protest shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

Bilitebi.ge claimed earlier this month that Tbilisi Sports Palace rejected the concert on “political grounds”. However, its administration cited ongoing repair works as the reason. 

The Georgian Culture Ministry also dismissed the allegations as “unfounded”, noting that the old Sports Palace in central Tbilisi was managed by certain individuals, not by the government. 

The concert of the Russian rock group Mashina Vremen, which was supposed to be held on September 24, was also postponed for seven months. 

The event was canceled along with Galkin's performance. According to the organizers, the concert of the rock band is scheduled for April seven in Tbilisi.

The Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation included TV presenter and artist Maxim Galkin in the list of foreign spies. 

It claimed that Galkin was engaged in political activities and at the same time received funding from abroad, in particular from Ukraine.

Shortly after the start of the war, Galkin and Alla Pugacheva, his wife, an iconic Russian pop-star, left Russia.

Galkin has repeatedly stated his anti-war stance, which is why Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov openly criticized him.

Pugacheva returned to Russia in August, while Galkin is still abroad.