Slava Komissarenko Applies for International Protection in Poland
Belarusian popular comedian Slava Komissarenko revealed in one of his latest stand-up performances that he has applied for international protection in Poland.
Slava Komissarenko. Screenshot: comedian's YouTube channel
A couple of years ago, Komissarenko received O-1 visas (talent visas) for the USA and UK. He encountered difficulties with legalisation in other countries.
"The German consul denied me a humanitarian visa because they don't believe it's dangerous for me to go to Russia or Belarus, and in Spain, they wouldn't let me legalize my funds, probably because it's dirty money for dirty jokes. Anyway, at one point, document-wise, the only option was to go to Belarus and surrender to 'Chik-Chirik' [a derogatory nickname for Lukashenka/authorities]. That's where I fit by documents, and they were expecting me by deadline – perfect!" Komissarenko joked in his videos.
Moreover, the talent visa for the USA was also not easy to obtain: he had to gather many recommendations and reviews of his creative achievements, which ultimately filled 600 pages. He also had to prove that Komissarenko would indeed have work in the USA – in the comedian's case, this was a touring schedule.
"Now, in my opinion, they [the talent visas] are no longer valid; everything there has been canceled for me," the humorist said during his recent performance.
Overall, he considered those visas primarily for the possibility of expanding his touring geography. Now, the comedian will try to legalize his status in Poland again, having already applied for international protection. Although one of the audience members advised him not to wait for the case to be reviewed, but to immediately write to the Polish President and ask for citizenship based on his popularity and comedic talent.
Recall that last year, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Belarus added Komissarenko to the list of "extremists," and later "terrorists." In his homeland, for his jokes targeting Lukashenka, he was sentenced in absentia to 6 years of imprisonment. At the initiative of the FSB, he was also deprived of Russian citizenship.
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