Russian Comedian Accused of Making a Joke About Veterans Gets Prison Time
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Russian comedian Artemy Ostanin was sentenced to nearly six years in prison in Moscow on Wednesday for "inciting hatred" after making a joke during a stand-up routine in March. The joke, involving a man who lost his legs in a mine blast and was using a skateboard, was deemed by authorities and pro-military groups as mocking veterans, though Ostanin denies this. A clip of the performance circulated widely online, leading to his arrest in Belarus after he fled Russia. Ostanin was also convicted of insulting religious believers during an earlier performance. His sentencing is the latest example of the Kremlin's crackdown on dissent related to the military and the war in Ukraine.
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AI-ExtractedStrict censorship laws make it illegal to “discredit” the military in Russia.
Ostanin denied that the joke was about Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
Ostanin was convicted of “inciting hatred” for a joke during a stand-up performance in March.
Artemy Ostanin was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for joking about a man who lost his legs.
Eva Merkacheva said Ostanin had been beaten by Belarusian police, who broke his vertebra.
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