Comedian Dolgopolov Arrested In Absentia Over Berlin Joke
A judge arrested comedian Dolgopolov in absentia on charges of rehabilitating Nazism.
Consensus
- The Tagansky District Court of Moscow issued a warrant for the arrest of stand-up comedian Alexander Dolgopolov in absentia.
- The arrest was based on charges of rehabilitating Nazism under Article 354.1 of the Russian Criminal Code.
- Dolgopolov is accused of making a public statement during a performance that allegedly insulted the memory of Soviet defenders, disrespected WWII veterans, and minimized their heroism.
- The case was initiated by the Moscow prosecutor's office following the discovery of a video recording of Dolgopolov's performance online.
- Dolgopolov is currently outside Russia and has been declared a fugitive.
- The court's decision on the arrest is effective from the moment of his extradition or detention on Russian territory.
- Dolgopolov left Russia in early 2020 after a police investigation into his previous performances.
- Dolgopolov was added to the register of foreign agents in Russia by the Ministry of Justice.
Points of divergence
- In April 2023, the Russian human rights ombudsman Yana Latravtova requested an investigation into Dolgopolov's and Garik Oganessian's jokes about the killing of war correspondent Vladlen Tatarский, which led to a new investigation by the Investigative Committee. — vedomosti
- The exact statement made by Dolgopolov has not been officially confirmed, though it is speculated to be the joke about thinking 'Wow, they killed my grandfather' while walking in Berlin. — tg_chertamedia
- The maximum penalty for the charge is a fine up to 5 million rubles, forced labor, or imprisonment for up to five years. — kommerant
- The Moscow prosecutor's office first raised the possibility of opening a case in mid-May. — tg_radiosvoboda
- The court formally opened the criminal case on August 13. — vedomosti
Coverage (15 sources)
- Capital court arrested comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in absentia — РИАМО
- Comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Russia became a defendant in a criminal case about Nazi rehabilitation due to words about Berlin — Радио Свобода
- Comedian Dolgopolov arrested in absentia on the case of Nazi rehabilitation — Коммерсантъ
- Moscow Court Arrests Comedian Dolgopolov in Absentia — Ведомости
- Comedian Alexander Dolgopolov* declared wanted in case of Nazi rehabilitation — Вечерняя Москва
- Case on Nazi rehabilitation has been filed against comedian Dolgopolov — Ведомости
- Prosecure initiated criminal prosecution of stand-up comedian Alexander Dolgopolov under article on rehabilitating... — ТАСС (Telegram)
- Stand-up comedian Alexander Dolgopolov declared wanted under the article on rehabilitation of Nazism — Вести
- Comedian Sasha Dolgopolov has been brought to criminal trial for 'rehabilitating Nazism' — allegedly for a joke about Berlin — Черта
- Comedian Sasha Dolgopolov in Russia became a defendant in a criminal case about Nazi rehabilitation due to words about Berlin — Настоящее Время
- Stand-up comedian Sasha Dolgopolov was required to be arrested in absentia on the case of rehabilitating Nazism — Медиазона
- Criminal case filed against comedian Sasha Dolgopolov for Nazi rehabilitation — Фонтанка
- Comedian Sasha Dolgopolov has been brought to justice for rehabilitating Nazism — Meduza
- Case filed against comedian Sasha Dolgopolov for 'rehabilitation of Nazism' — Новая газета Европа
- Comedian Sasha Dolgopolov has been brought to justice for 'rehabilitating Nazism' — SOTAvision