Artemy Ostanin's* accounts have been frozen

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The bank accounts of Yeysk stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin*, accused of insulting religious feelings and inciting hatred, have been frozen.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," at the end of December, the prosecutor's office approved the indictment against Yeysk stand-up comedian Artemy Ostanin*, who made a joke about a legless disabled person. The charge of insulting religious feelings, elements of which were identified in another of the comedian's performances, was added to the article on inciting hatred or enmity. On January 12, the court extended Ostanin*'s pretrial detention by six months.

All bank accounts of Artemy Ostanin* have been frozen, RIA Novosti reported today, citing an informed source.

According to the source, the accounts were frozen as part of a criminal case on insulting religious feelings and inciting hatred. On January 19, the Meshchansky Court of Moscow will begin hearing the stand-up comedian's case on the merits.

The "Caucasian Knot" also reported that in June 2025, human rights activists recognized Artemy Ostanin* as a political prisoner. Ostanin* is charged with publicly inciting hatred or hostility "with the use or threat of violence," even though his monologue about the legless beggar in the metro did not mention violence or threats. Without violence or threats of violence, Ostanin*'s actions should be classified as an administrative offense with a maximum penalty of 15 days in jail, human rights activists noted, calling for an investigation into the comedian's allegations of torture and humiliation after his arrest.