Satirist Shady Abu Zaid was released from prison after two years of detention for alleged “spreading fake news” and “joining a terrorist group”.

Ukrainian authorities initiated a travel ban against 11 Russian artists after they entered and performed in the occupied territory of Crimea.

On 22 May, artist Oliver Ma was released after being arrested in Hong Kong a day earlier, over his performance during which he sang "Glory to Hong Kong".

Lebanese composer Samir Sfeir was released after being detained by the Saudi Arabia authorities since April 2021 for his political opinions.

The Maskouski district Court in Minsk sentenced drummer Aliaksei Sanchuk to six years in prison for performing during opposition protests.

Musician İbrahim Tüzer was released from detention after he was arrested a day earlier for an individual protest in front of the Batman Governorship.

Poet Khet Thi has died while in detention after being arrested by armed soldiers alongside his wife, Chaw Su, on 8 May 2021 for an unknown reason.

Street musicians Elizaveta Pachova, Aleksey Shuravlevich and Yulia Shabanova, sanctioned for "unauthorized picketing” while performing in Minsk.

Street artist Nicolás Guerrero was killed on 2 May in Cali during a demonstration against the tax reform proposed by the Colombian government.  

The ISF Cybercrime Bureau questioned comedian Shaden Fakih over allegedly mocking the ISF in a video criticising the permits system during COVID-19.