Kazakhstan Comic Finds Authorities Can’t Take a Joke

By Human Rights Watch

Click to expand Image Kazakhstan’s national flag flies in the village of Saumalkol, North Kazakhstan region, March 22, 2023. © 2023 Elena Vah/Kommersant/Sipa via AP Photo On July 26, a court in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, sentenced 31-year-old Alexandr Merkul, a stand-up comedian, to 10-days detention on charges of “petty hooliganism” allegedly for using obscene language during a performance in June. It’s yet another instance of the extent of Kazakh authorities’ crackdown on freedom of expression.Merkul, who pleaded guilty, often touches on social issues during his performances. For…

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