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Comedian Artemy Ostanin, accused of inciting hatred and hostility for a joke and detained in Belarus while attempting to leave Russia, was sent to a pre-trial detention center

2025.03.19

He was beaten during the arrest, the defense claims that he has a broken spine

The Meshchansky Court of Moscow sent stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin to a pre-trial detention center until May 15 on charges of inciting hatred or hostility, reported a correspondent from Sotavision* from the courtroom.

The investigation filed such a petition, believing that the defendant «has extensive connections in creative circles» and could influence yet unidentified witnesses. However, the prosecution did not support the investigation's petition, believing that a preventive measure not related to detention should be chosen.

Ostanin himself stated in court about being beaten during the arrest, which was confirmed by lawyer Veronika Polyakova, citing forensic examination data that showed a spinal fracture. The injuries caused complications in the lungs. Polyakova noted that with Ostanin's diagnosis (pneumothorax), being in a pre-trial detention center could be an aggravating factor. Despite this, the comedian was arrested.

Stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin was detained on March 18 in Minsk, allegedly while attempting to leave the country. The reason was his joke about disabled people, which many media and law enforcement interpreted as mocking wounded soldiers of the «SVO». The comedian himself insists that there was nothing about participants of the «special operation» in his performance. Under the article on «inciting hatred or hostility», the comedian faces up to 6 years in prison.

* Recognized in Russia as a «foreign agent».

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