Nurlan Saburov gives first comment after 50-year entry ban to Russia

Tengrinews.kz – Stand-up comedian Nurlan Saburov has given his first comment after receiving a 50-year entry ban to Russia. On Sunday, 8 February, the host of the online show “ChBD” (“What Happened Next?”) posted a story on his Instagram.

The artist stated that he will not be commenting on the situation in detail. According to him, that will be handled by lawyers, who will work with the competent authorities. Time will put everything in its place, the comedian noted.

“I want to say the following: my path as a stand-up comedian began 15 years ago in Yekaterinburg and later continued in Moscow. Over these years I have visited many cities in Russia. Everywhere I was received warmly and kindly. I am grateful to the country where I got the opportunity to develop creatively, became an artist, and gained a large multinational audience both in Russia and beyond. Thank you,” he wrote.

Separately, the comedian addressed journalists, bloggers and the media.

“Please show respect for the private life of my family, my wife and children, my parents and loved ones. All the best to you,” Saburov wrote.

On Friday, 6 February, it became known that popular Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov had been banned from entering Russia for 50 years on 30 January. The decision was made “in the interests of national security, compliance with the law and the protection of traditional spiritual and moral values.”

The star was detained at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after returning from a vacation in Dubai. The comedian refused free deportation back to Dubai and instead bought a ticket to Kazakhstan himself. On the morning of 7 February, he arrived in Almaty. Shortly after Saburov, another “ChBD” host, Aleksei Shcherbakov, also flew to Almaty.

According to lawyer Aleksandr Haminsky, Saburov may be able to have the entry ban to Russia lifted if he publicly changes his position on Russian politics. The lawyer said the decision to bar the comedian from entering Russia was triggered by Saburov’s public criticism of Russia’s war against Ukraine, his “anti-Russian statements,” as well as systematic violations of migration and tax legislation.