Minsk 01:13

Russian comedian injured during arrest in Belarus – lawyer 

(Moscow City Court press office/Mash)

March 19, Pozirk. Belarusian security officers broke ribs and spine as they arrested Artemiy Ostanin yesterday at the Belarusian-Russian border, the Russian standup comedian’s lawyer said.

After Belarus handed over the man to Russia, the Moscow City Court ruled to place him under arrest for two months pending trial on charges of inciting hatred for joking about Russian soldiers who attacked Ukraine, Russia’s Mash reported.

A Russian conservative group denounced the comedian’s comment about a beggar with a disability who blew himself up on a landmine, yet Ostanin denied this interpretation. The show took place four days ago in Moscow.

In February 2022, Russia started a full-scale war against Ukraine. Authorities in Minsk allowed Russian troops to attack Ukraine from Belarus on multiple occasions and have persecuted Belarusians for antiwar positions.

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