Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, a Russian prankster, was arrested in the Philippines on April 2. He is facing a possible 24-year prison sentence, which could keep him locked up until he is in his late 50s. Vitaly is known for his crazy stunts, like running naked at the NBA Finals, climbing the Hollywood sign, and even causing a scene during the 2022 World Cup.
His recent antics in Bonifacio Global City, a fancy area in Manila, went too far. During a live stream, he bothered security guards, tried to kiss one, grabbed at an officer’s gun, and filmed without permission. Philippines Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that Vitaly did many rude things. This included trying to take pictures without asking, making fun of the security guards, and breaking local laws by vlogging without a permit.
In the Philippines, people take these kinds of actions very seriously. Unlike in the U.S., where he usually only faced small fines or short time in jail, the Philippines can give him a long prison sentence for his behavior. His next court date isn’t set yet, so no one knows what will happen to him.
This isn’t Vitaly’s first run-in with the law. He once spent five days in jail in Egypt for climbing the Pyramids of Giza. But 24 years in prison? That’s a huge deal.
Vitaly was born in Russia but grew up in the U.S. He has dual citizenship. So, will the Russian government come to his aid? Russia often protects its citizens abroad, but Vitaly isn’t exactly a political prisoner – he’s more known for making trouble. Plus, having dual citizenship makes it harder for Russia to help him.
What about the U.S.? While the Philippines has a good relationship with America, it’s unlikely that the U.S. will step in to help him this time.
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