Moldovan rapper deported from Italy after blocking highway for music video

Moldovan rapper 351 Bratan has been deported from Italy to his home country after blocking the Milano-Meda highway to shoot a music video, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said on X.

According to the minister, 31-year-old Nicolae Novacenco, known by his stage name 351 Bratan, had his residence permit revoked on grounds of “social dangerousness” and was placed on the first available flight to his “country of origin.” Previous offenses committed by the musician, including possession of weapons and drugs, were also taken into account during the investigation.

The incident occurred on September 18, when a group of motorcyclists stopped on the Milano-Meda highway in the Affori area during rush hour. Footage posted on social media shows 351 Bratan performing on the roadway alongside rapper Omar Ramo, while a long line of cars formed behind them. Traffic was brought to a standstill for several minutes. Police arrived at the filming location at around 7:40 p.m., by which time the group had already left.

Investigators identified the rapper through videos posted on social media. He was reportedly the motorcyclist leading the group that blocked traffic.

The artist’s lawyer, Matteo Politano, described the incident as a “prank” and said he would challenge the decision before an administrative court. In his view, the punishment was disproportionate and had been imposed on the rapper under the influence of media attention.

By Jeyhun Aghazada