Belarus sentences prominent Belarusian comedian to six years in prison in absentia

The Minsk city court has sentenced prominent Belarusian stand-up comedian Slava Komissarenko to six years in a general-regime prison in absentia, following several counts and partial consolidation of the punishments. He was convicted on charges of defamation and insulting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Belta.by reported.

Komissarenko was charged with three offenses: defamation of the president of Belarus, insulting the president and incitement to ethnic, racial, religious or other forms of social hatred.

In 2021, local authorities banned Komissarenko from performing in Belarus, prompting him to move to Russia. However, the ongoing prosecution forced him to leave Russia a year later.

Belarus is set to hold its next presidential election on Jan. 26, 2025, with Alexander Lukashenko already registered as a candidate. Last week, Kursiv.media reported that the U.S. warned its citizens against traveling to Belarus and warned those already in the country to leave immediately.