Ostavin Sentenced 5.9 Years for Disabled Joke

A Moscow court sentenced comedian Artemiy Ostanin* to 5 years and 9 months in prison and a fine of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,300 at current rates) on charges of inciting hatred and offending religious feelings (Articles 282 and 148 of the Russian Criminal Code), the Moscow prosecutor«s office reported.

During the arguments, the prosecutor requested 5 years and 11 months in prison for Ostanin*. According to the prosecution, the comedian, «having extensive knowledge in religious studies and wishing to increase his channel»s popularity and recognition,« used »socially acute topics« related to religion in his performances.

He was also accused of creating an organized criminal group (OPG) that included unidentified individuals. According to the prosecutor, they prepared short performance scripts, selected venues, organized concerts with Ostanin*«s participation, and promoted them on social media.

After the verdict was read, Ostanin* said: «Rest in peace to your judicial practice.» The comedian stated that he did not understand the court«s decision and did not consider himself guilty.

At the reading of the verdict, the comedian wore a hoodie with the word «Demons» on it. In the official press release from the Moscow prosecutor«s office, this word was blurred out in the photograph.

What Ostanin* was accused of

The reason for opening the case was a performance on the YouTube show «Third Channel» (18+), where random comedians come and present their humorous material before a jury within one minute.

Ostanin* performed a joke about a disabled person in the Moscow metro. According to the story, a disabled man on a tankette (low cart — Editor«s note) ran over his foot in a subway underpass, whom the comedian called a »skater without legs.« In the story, he also mentioned that the man »stepped on a mine.«

The organization «Zov naroda» (Call of the People) called for criminal charges against Ostanin*, seeing insult to a participant of the SMO (Special Military Operation) in his speech. The stand-up comedian himself told «Ostorozhno, Novosti» that the joke was about «a beggar in the subway who has been skating without legs for about 20 years. People have been joking about such characters since the time of Comedy Club (18+).»

The organization «Zov naroda» (Call of the People) describes itself as a patriotic, conservative association whose main goal is to protect Russia and its people, spiritual bonds, and to develop traditions and morality. «Zov naroda» engages, among other things, in writing denunciations to authorities about artists and initiating checks on them.

Artemiy Ostanin* is 29 years old, originally from the town of Yeysk in Krasnodar Krai. At birth he was named Artyom Frolov, but a few years ago he changed his name and took his mother«s surname. He held his first solo concert in September 2022.

During interrogation by the Investigative Committee, Ostanin* stated that he «had no intention of threatening violence and certainly not to incite hostility towards any social group,» and also offered apologies.

Later, the comedian«s lawyer Polyakova stated that during his arrest he was severely beaten. According to Polyakova, Ostanin* was beaten with a stun gun and batons.

* — included in the list of individuals with information about their involvement in extremist activities or terrorism.