Humorist Artemy Ostanin Designated as Terrorist and Extremist Figure
Take a gander at this:
Comedian Artemiy Ostanin, nabbed due to allegations of promoting hatred, has found himself slammed on Rosfinmonitoring's list of persons associated with terrorism and extremism. A quick peek at the agency's website will shed some light on this.
"Born on March 18, 1996, in Yeisk, Krasnodar Krai, under the name Ostanin Artemiy Romanovich," he's listed there.
Ostanin was apprehended at the end of March as part of an investigation into inciting hatred. This man stands accused of violating part 2, Article 282 of the Criminal Code ("Inciting hatred or enmity, or humiliating human dignity"). According to the probe, Ostanin hurled slurs at individuals who had sustained injuries and lost their ability to work during one of his public performances in Moscow. He, however, refuses to own up to his alleged actions.
Earlier, a complaint was sent to the Investigative Committee by activists about Ostanin's jibe about a man without legs who "stepped on a mine." These activists claimed it could be hurtful to a participant in the “special operation.” Ostanin later clarified that his joke was actually about a homeless man in the metro who had been riding a skateboard without legs for nearly 20 years.
It's crucial to note that, according to Roskomnadzor's guidelines, when dealing with the "special operation" in eastern Ukraine, Russian media must solely use official Russian sources' information. Any violation of this rule, such as referring to the operation as an "attack," "invasion," or "declaration of war," could lead to fines of up to 5 million rubles and potential media blockage.
By the Way: Artemiy Ostanin finds himself entangled in a serious legal predicament with a potential prison sentence of six years[1] for "inciting hatred," a common charge in Russia against those who express political or social dissent. Scant details about the specifics of Ostanin's alleged actions leading to these charges are available, but the case raises issues regarding freedom of speech and political repression.
The circumstances around Ostanin's case seem to echo a broader pattern in Russia where charges of extremism and inciting hatred are frequently used against individuals critical of the government or involved in avant-garde or opposing cultural activities, much like in other incidents involving artists and activists[2]. This creates a contentious setting where the legal system is perceived as a tool against dissidents.
- Artemiy Ostanin's life has taken a drastic turn, as he finds himself facing a potential six-year prison sentence for allegedly inciting hatred, a charge that has become common in Russia for those expressing political or social dissent.
- Beyond Ostanin's case, the use of charges of extremism and inciting hatred against individuals critical of the Russian government or involved in avant-garde or opposing cultural activities is a pattern that raises concerns about freedom of speech and political repression, further highlighting the contentious relationship between the legal system and dissidents in politics and general-news, as well as crime-and-justice.
