Famous stand-up comedian Slava Komissarenko sentenced to 6 years in prison in Belarus

The Minsk City Court sentenced in absentia the famous Belarusian stand-up comedian Slava Komissarenko to 6 years in prison, the human rights center Vesna reports.

The 39-year-old comedian was charged with three articles of the Criminal Code at once: slander of the president, insulting the president and inciting enmity. The case was considered by judge Anastasia Popko as part of special proceedings.

Komissarenko, who gained popularity as a stand-up comedian in Belarus and performed concerts throughout the country every year, after the 2020 presidential election repeatedly criticized its results and condemned violence by security forces. In his speeches, he often joked about Aleksander Lukashenko and became known as the author of the popular meme "Chik-chirik" about the Belarusian leader.

In early 2021, the Belarusian authorities revoked the comedian’s tour license, banning him from performing in Minsk. In January 2022, the Belarusian KGB put Komissarenko on the wanted list. According to the comedian, who had already moved to Kyiv by then, the special services called him and sent him SMS messages, and also searched for his parents.

This court decision is part of an ongoing campaign by the Belarusian authorities against cultural and artistic figures who are critical of the current government.

The comedian currently lives in Turkey.

As previously reported, in the russian federation, TV presenter Tatyana Lazareva, who supported Ukraine, was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison.