Belarus metal musician Vladislav Novozhilov, aka Lesley Knife of Gods Tower, has been sentenced to three years in prison after he insulted a politician online.
Flagshtok reports that in his defense, the musician said he had no intention of directly insulting the politician and instead referenced the works of 19th-century Russian writer and satirist Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin.
Novozhilov said:
“For me, an official is a person in the civil service who must respect our rights. He is a representative of the government and the people.
“In the video, I understood that he was an official and a representative of the authorities. I watched his speech, he did not give a clear answer to the citizens’ questions, I was disappointed and therefore left such a comment.”
He also told the judge:
“This is my first time in such a situation and I don’t know what exactly needs to be said. The fate of my family depends on your decision – because I am the only breadwinner.
“The wife does not work, the children are underage, we rent an apartment. Therefore, if I am not in the family, she will actually be on the street.
“It depends on your decision whether I will pay taxes… First of all, I would like to stay with the family and just work. If, of course, someone is interested in what I want… There is nothing more to say.”