Prosecution of comedian Artemiy Ostanin and reported deportation of Ukrainian IT specialist highlight rights concerns

The program reported on cases that critics say illustrate increasing pressure on dissent and vulnerable foreigners. In Moscow, the Meshchansky District Court is hearing a criminal case against stand‑up comedian Artemiy Ostanin on charges of inciting hatred and insulting religious feelings based on two jokes, the broadcast said.

Reporter Artem Filatov summarized court developments and quoted testimony that the case was brought in March 2025 after pro‑government activists filed complaints. Filatov said the prosecution requested a punishment of "5 лет и 11 месяцев колонии" and a fine of 300,000 rubles, near the maximum under the cited criminal provision. The program relayed accounts that, when Ostanin performed in Minsk, Belarusian authorities detained and beat him, claims he has made publicly and that Belarusian rights groups have described.

Cultural commentator and anthropologist Yan Levchenko (quoted in the broadcast) called the prosecution "typical" of contemporary Russia's pressure on comedians. Colleagues and acquaintances, including Tanya Shchukina, described Ostanin as an increasingly punished young performer; Filatov said some victim statements in court originated from a channel associated with the Orthodox movement "Сорок сороков."

Separately, the broadcast reported that 25‑year‑old Ukrainian IT specialist Alexander Kachkurkin was deported from Kazakhstan to Russia, where human rights group "Первый отдел" said he was detained on charges of treason linked to monetary transfers to Ukraine. Rights lawyer Ivan Pavlov provided commentary on the case's procedural speed and alleged irregularities, the program said.

The program presented sources alleging mistreatment and politicized prosecutions; it did not include responses from Russian justice authorities in the excerpt provided.