Off color jokes, interpreted as criticism of the war in Ukraine, and others offensive to Christians, landed a standup comedian a lengthy prison term.

Mr Ostanin was charged with “inciting hatred” for his joke, with state authorities interpreting it as being about Russian ...

The comedian, Artemy Ostanin, was convicted of “inciting hatred” by making a joke during a stand-up routine in March.

"I hope no one ever finds themselves in the same situation of brutal legal abuse that I did," Artemy Ostaninsaid in his final statement in court.

A Russian stand-up comedian was convicted of inciting hatred and jailed for nearly six years on Wednesday over a joke he made ...

A Russian stand-up comedian was convicted of inciting hatred and jailed for nearly six years on Wednesday over a joke he made ...

Case materials said a local in Russia’s Voronezh region got fined for playing a song by Ukrainian artist Verka Serduchka – a ...

The joke he made triggered outrage among nationalists and military bloggers. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at ...

Netflix India has unveiled an expansive 2026 programming slate headlined by Sunny Deol, Madhuri Dixit and Saif Ali Khan.