Russian comedian injured during arrest in Belarus – lawyer
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.
Reprisals: Russian artist arrested and deported over anti-war position
Briefly: Jailed politician, 11 others on KGB terrorist register Information ministry blacklists content by youth initiative, media project as extremist Hrodna man convicted of insulting Łukašenka commits suicide Exiled journalist accused of facilitating extremism March 19, Pozirk. New cases of …