Italy deports Moldovan trap artist Nicolae Novacenko after motorway music video stunt

Motorway closure near Milan

Italian authorities deported Moldovan trap artist Nicolae Novacenko after he halted traffic on a key highway corridor near Milan to film a music video. The Italian Minister of the Interior, Matteo Piantedosi, announced the expulsion on Sunday, 27 September 2026, through a statement on the social media platform X, as reported by AFP. The road blockage occurred earlier in September, when Novacenko rode a motorcycle onto the highway accompanied by a group of approximately 30 individuals. The group obstructed vehicle lanes across the arterial route to capture video footage for the performer. Recorded segments of the motorway shutdown were subsequently published on Novacenko's personal Instagram account, leading law enforcement and transport officials to identify those responsible for the disruption.

Taking into account the threat he represents for public safety, his residence permit was revoked and he was put on the first flight to return to his country of origin.

Profile of the artist and deportation order

Nicolae Novacenko, known professionally by the stage name Bratan, is a 32-year-old musician from Moldova who has lived in Italy since the age of 17. Italian press outlets reported that the artist has resided in the country for 15 years and is the father of a one-year-old child. Despite his long-term residency and family ties in Italy, the interior ministry determined that the unauthorized highway closure presented a severe threat to public safety. Following this official assessment, Italian authorities revoked his legal residence permit and escorted him directly to an airport, placing him on the first available flight back to his country of origin.

Government immigration policy and the 2027 vote

The expulsion of the performer reflects a wider tightening of immigration and public safety measures overseen by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The conservative Italian administration has placed border controls, crime prevention, and strict public order enforcement at the center of its domestic policy agenda. This focus precedes Italy's upcoming legislative elections scheduled for 2027, where security and migration enforcement are set to serve as key campaign themes. Meloni's cabinet has utilized administrative deportation powers to swiftly remove foreign nationals involved in public disruptions, demonstrating decisive executive enforcement across regional transport networks.

Right-wing competition from Futuro Nazionale

The government's hardline approach to immigration enforcement also coincides with shifting dynamics on the Italian political right. Meloni's ruling executive faces rising competition from Futuro Nazionale, a newly established far-right party that has gained momentum in opinion polls. Futuro Nazionale is led by former military general Roberto Vannacci, who has advocated for stringent immigration restrictions across Italy. Vannacci and his party leadership have publicly called for the immediate removal of all undocumented migrants, as well as the mandatory deportation of any foreign resident who commits offenses or infractions on Italian territory.