MANILA — Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, the Russian vlogger arrested for live-streaming himself harassing Filipinos in Taguig City, will serve his jail sentence in the Philippines rather than be deported, according to Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
Zdorovetskiy faces trial next week for three counts of unjust vexation, carrying a potential jail term of three months to one year. Remulla said the vlogger could serve up to 18 months in a Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility if convicted.
The incident, which went viral on social media, showed Zdorovetskiy grabbing a security guard’s hat, attempting to seize a guard’s firearm, and threatening to rob a woman in Bonifacio Global City.
Arrested on April 3, Zdorovetskiy has been detained at the Bureau of Immigration facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City. Deportation is currently not an option because Russia refuses to accept him, and the United States — where he holds a green card — also declines his return.
Remulla added that Zdorovetskiy requested to have the charges dropped, citing mental health issues.
