Popular Kazakh comedian Nurlan Saburov has been banned from entering Russia for 50 years after law enforcement authorities accused him of violating migration and tax rules, as well as of criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, state media reported Friday.
It was not immediately clear what specific violations Saburov was alleged to have committed. A source cited by the state news agency RIA Novosti said the decision to ban him from Russia had been made “in the interest of national security” and for the “protection of traditional values.”
Saburov, known for his widely watched YouTube show “What Came Next?”, was detained and informed of the 50-year entry ban at Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport after arriving from Dubai on Thursday night, according to media reports. The comedian had lived in Russia since 2014.
Earlier, several of Saburov’s stand-up comedy shows in Russia were canceled, with organizers citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
The cancellations began in December following public backlash over a joke Saburov made in 2022 about Russians fleeing military mobilization by crossing into Kazakhstan, the business newspaper Kommersant reported.
Saburov was detained in May 2025 at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport and fined 5,000 rubles ($65) for minor migration violations.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
