Russia opens criminal case against comedian and screenwriter for violating ‘foreign agent’ rules

Source: Moscow Prosecutor's Office

Russia has opened a criminal case against comedian and screenwriter Semyon Slepakov for failing to comply with his obligations as a foreign agent, the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office announced on its Telegram channel, saying the case was opened on the basis of its own investigation.

Slepakov had twice been found administratively liable within a single year for distributing content on a social media platform without labeling it as material created and distributed by a foreign agent, the Moscow Prosecutor’s Office stated.

In February, the office announced that it had gathered materials and referred them to investigators to open a criminal case against Slepakov.

Semyon Slepakov is a former KVN and Comedy Club participant, as well as a producer and screenwriter on the projects “Nasha Russia,” “Interns,” and “Univer.” He is also known for his satirical songs, including on political topics. In 2022, Slepakov publicly spoke out against Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine and left the country. In April 2023, Russia’s Justice Ministry designated Slepakov a foreign agent.

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Russia opens criminal case against comedian and screenwriter for violating ‘foreign agent’ rules

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