Stand-up comedian Artemiy Ostanin was detained in Belarus while attempting to leave Russia, reported the Moscow branch of the Investigative Committee, noting that the comedian has already been delivered to Moscow.
According to the Belarusian Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and Corruption, the comedian was detained in Minsk, allegedly while trying to fly out of the country.
On the eve of March 15, it became known that a criminal case was initiated against Ostanin under the article on «inciting hatred or enmity». The reason for the prosecution was a joke about a man who lost his legs and was begging in the metro.
The pro-government organization «Call of the People» complained about Ostanin to the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General's Office, suggesting that the hero of the joke might have lost his limbs on the front and accusing Ostanin of «disrespecting our soldiers». The stand-up comedian himself stated that the joke has nothing to do with the war in Ukraine. «Critical thinking on the issue, of course, was not engaged», — commented the stand-up comedian on the claims in a conversation with «Cautiously, News».
Belarusian law enforcement officers said that Ostanin tried to explain that his joke was misunderstood, but he failed to justify himself. «The extremist was handed over to Russian law enforcement yesterday. The character incited hatred, insulted participants of the special military operation, and mocked believers. During the detention, he was also told a couple of «jokes», — writes the telegram channel GU «BASE» close to law enforcement.