"Lungs damaged and vertebra broken": Comedian Arseniy Ostanin, who joked about a disabled person on the subway, was beaten during his arrest in Belarus.

About it said Olga, member of the Presidential Council on Human Rights Eva Merkacheva. She also published a photo with signs of beatings, which was provided by the detainee’s lawyer. Veronica Polyakova.

"When he was detained in the Republic of Belarus, while being transported to the border to be handed over to Russian law enforcement, their car stopped in a forest, he was taken out, and three people began beating him. They inflicted multiple blows to his body and limbs, and used a stun gun and batons." — the lawyer’s appeal clarifies.

A medical examination revealed that Ostanin had damaged lungs and a broken vertebra, requiring serious medical attention, speaking poorly, and being unable to move.

Eva Merkacheva has already raised the issue of investigating the Belarusian security forces who beat the Russian citizen.

"In difficult times, rhetoric emerges that seems to justify illegal actions against those accused of something. This is a dangerous trend." she wrote.

Native Yeisk Arseniy Ostanin Ostanin was detained on March 18 while attempting to leave Belarus. The arrest stemmed from his recent performance at a stand-up comedy show in Moscow, where he recounted how he'd been run over in the subway by a beggar who'd "stepped on a mine." Following this, several denunciations were filed against the comedian, including by members of the Z-organization "Call of the People," who believed Ostanin "decided to make fun of veterans who lost limbs in the North Military District."

Almost immediately, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case against the comedian for inciting hatred or enmity. Yesterday, the Meshchansky District Court of Moscow remanded him in pretrial detention for two months.

Photo: Eva Merkacheva's Telegram channel