A Russian comedian has been handed down a hefty sentence for making light of a disabled war veteran. Artemy Ostanin, 29, is set to spend more than five years behind bars after being found guilty of inciting hatred with his joke. The punchline in question was about an elderly man who lost his legs in combat and had to ride a skateboard - the comedian called him "legless skater". Footage of Ostanin's stand-up routine went viral, sparking outrage among Russian nationalists who claimed he was disrespecting soldiers fighting in Ukraine.
However, Ostanin maintained that the joke wasn't aimed at Russians in combat. He also faced backlash for making a separate joke about Jesus that angered Orthodox nationalists. His lawyers have accused the court of "brutal legal abuse", saying their client's freedom of expression was brutally curtailed.
Ostanin's case is another example of how Russia uses laws to stifle dissenting voices and silence opposing viewpoints. Human rights groups, including Memorial, claim that his prosecution sets a worrying precedent for artists and comedians who may feel pressured into self-censorship.
In Ostanin's final words to the court, he expressed frustration with the judicial system and vowed never to submit to such treatment again. The comedian was also fined 300,000 rubles ($3,900) and placed on a government list of "terrorists and extremists", a label that often targets opponents of the regime.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and advocates for free speech, highlighting concerns about Russia's increasingly repressive climate.
However, Ostanin maintained that the joke wasn't aimed at Russians in combat. He also faced backlash for making a separate joke about Jesus that angered Orthodox nationalists. His lawyers have accused the court of "brutal legal abuse", saying their client's freedom of expression was brutally curtailed.
Ostanin's case is another example of how Russia uses laws to stifle dissenting voices and silence opposing viewpoints. Human rights groups, including Memorial, claim that his prosecution sets a worrying precedent for artists and comedians who may feel pressured into self-censorship.
In Ostanin's final words to the court, he expressed frustration with the judicial system and vowed never to submit to such treatment again. The comedian was also fined 300,000 rubles ($3,900) and placed on a government list of "terrorists and extremists", a label that often targets opponents of the regime.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and advocates for free speech, highlighting concerns about Russia's increasingly repressive climate.
I know the punchline was a bit mean-spirited, but come on, it was just a joke! I think Artemy Ostanin should have gotten a slap on the wrist or something. 
The fact that he’s going to be on a government list of “terrorists and extremists” is just chilling. It feels like Russia is trying to silence anyone who dares to speak out against them, and it’s super scary for artists and comedians who might feel pressured into self-censoring.
and now he's facing over 5 yrs in prison! And what's even crazier is that his lawyers are saying the court basically bullied him into silence. Like, how can you even call this justice?! 
I'm all for free speech, but when it feels like they're using laws to control people's thoughts and opinions... it's super concerning! 
it's like they're trying to silence anyone who dares to question the status quo 
and his lawyers saying that the court is using "brutal legal abuse" is super true 
Ostanin's case is like a warning sign for artists and comedians everywhere 
gotta stand up for free speech and not let governments dictate what we can say 
But no, they've gotta take it so far, labeling him a "terrorist and extremist"... what's next, dissolving his identity? 
. And the fact that it was about a Russian veteran makes it even more dodgy, like, what's next? Targeting other Russians just for speaking their minds? 
. The law needs to be re-written, and fast! 
Artists need to feel safe to express themselves without fear of persecution. It's like, we're already living in a world where we can't say what we think without getting yelled at or fined... this is just another example of how our rights are being stripped away