A Russian comedian was allegedly beaten by Belarusian security services while being detained for telling a joke about a Russian soldier who has lost a leg.
Stand-up comic Artemy Ostanin, who was wanted by Russian authorities for his humorous comments, attempted to escape the country through Belarus, but was caught.
Belarusian officials allegedly subjected him to brutal treatment—breaking his ribs, damaging his spine and shaving off his dreadlocks.
They also took a photograph of him with a meat grinder hanging around his neck before transferring him to Russian authorities.
A Russian court later detained Ostanin until at least May 15 on charges of insulting a soldier who took part in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He could face up to six years in prison.
The court ruled he should be kept in custody despite both his defense lawyer and the prosecutor arguing for house arrest.
Ostanin was arrested on March 18 while crossing the Belarusian-Russian border, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee. However, pro-government Belarusian Telegram channels claimed he was detained at Minsk airport ahead of a planned flight to an undisclosed country.
Belarusian officials allegedly subjected him to brutal treatment—breaking his ribs, damaging his spine and shaving off his dreadlocks.
They also took a photograph of him with a meat grinder hanging around his neck before transferring him to Russian authorities.
A Russian court later detained Ostanin until at least May 15 on charges of insulting a soldier who took part in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He could face up to six years in prison.
The court ruled he should be kept in custody despite both his defense lawyer and the prosecutor arguing for house arrest.
Ostanin was arrested on March 18 while crossing the Belarusian-Russian border, according to Russia’s Investigative Committee. However, pro-government Belarusian Telegram channels claimed he was detained at Minsk airport ahead of a planned flight to an undisclosed country.
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