Some of the world’s best-known comedians -- including American performers Dave Chappelle, Pete Davidson, Louis C.K., and Bill Burr -- have been dubbed “sellouts” for taking part in a Saudi state-sponsored comedy festival in the wake of another journalist’s killing, and a reported rise in executions for non-lethal and drug-related crimes, along with long prison sentences imposed for social media posts.

The Riyadh Comedy Festival, hosted by Saudi Arabia’s government, is a new, lucrative gig for big-name comedians as the country expands its entertainment sector as part of “Saudi Vision 2030.” The initiative, brainchild of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also includes the highly-controversial LIV Golf tournament and investments in the tech, gaming, and venture capital sectors.

Other A-list comedians on the bill over the next week include Kevin Hart, Whitney Cummings,, Aziz Ansari, Gabriel Iglesias, Tom Segura, and Sebastian Maniscalco, according to the event’s website. The performers are believed to be making anywhere from several hundred thousand dollars to more than one million, according to a comedian who was previously invited.