The Investigative Committee of Belarus announced that it has launched special proceedings in the case against Belarusian stand-up comedian Slava Komissarenko.

According to the Investigative Committee, Komissarenko is accused of insulting and slandering Alexander Lukashenko and inciting social hatred, TASS reports on August 16.

The first reports that a criminal case for libel against Alexander Lukashenko had been opened against Slava Komissarenko appeared in February 2022. Then Russian pro-government telegram channels and propagandists reported this.

"Special proceedings” in Belarusian legislation refer to proceedings against the accused, Women for the country's interests. This concept of legislation appeared in July 2022.

• Slava Komissarenko is one of the most famous Belarusian stand-up comedians. For the last few years, he lived in Russia and come to Belarus with concerts.

• After the protests in Belarus in 2020, the comedian repeatedly spoke out against the violence that security forces used against protest participants, spoke about the falsification of the presidential election results, and also parodied Alexander Lukashenko, calling him “chyk-chyryk.” In January 2021, after the stand-up comedian joked about Lukashenko, the Minsk authorities revoked the issued permits for Komissarenko’s concerts. In January 2022, the comedian announced that he left Russia due to persecution by the Belarusian KGB.