Russian vlogger ‘abandoned’ by U.S., Russia

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed on Sunday that detained Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy will not be deported from the Philippines because both Russia and the United States have refused to accept him.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the problem is that they do not know where to send the vlogger since Russia is refusing to accept him, which was the same with the US where he is a green card holder.

To recall, Zdorovetskiy was arrested by authorities in April for a series of disruptive stunts, including filming himself harassing Filipinos. He is scheduled to go on trial next week on three counts of unjust vexation, which carries a potential jail sentence of three months to one year per count.

“We will service his sentence, I assure you,” Remulla said in a radio interview.

Remulla also confirmed that Zdorovetskiy, who has been detained since his 3 April arrest, had asked him to drop the charges, citing mental health concerns. However, the Interior secretary said Zdorovetskiy’s actions should not go unpunished.

If convicted on all three counts, Zdorovetskiy could face up to 18 months in a facility of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.