Vitaly Zdorovetskiy Faces Up to 24 Years in Philippine Prison Following Arrest for Harassment and Theft

MANILA, Philippines — Russian-American YouTuber and prankster Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, known for his controversial online stunts, is currently detained in the Philippines facing multiple criminal charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to 24 years. The charges stem from a series of incidents during a livestream in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, where Zdorovetskiy allegedly harassed locals, attempted theft, and engaged in unauthorized filming.

On April 2, 2025, Zdorovetskiy was arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) after being declared an "undesirable foreign national." The arrest followed a viral livestream on the platform Kick, during which he was seen harassing security personnel, attempting to steal a patrol motorcycle, and taking items from local establishments without permission. These actions prompted widespread public outrage and led to his detention at the BI's facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig.

Philippine authorities have charged Zdorovetskiy with multiple offenses, including unjust vexation, alarm and scandal, theft, attempted theft, and violations related to unauthorized public filming. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that the country will not tolerate such behavior, stating, "The time when foreigners could just disrespect Filipinos is over. We will not let them belittle us."

In response to the incident, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov advised Russian nationals to adhere strictly to local laws, noting that Zdorovetskiy has not responded to the embassy's offer of assistance. "They [Russian citizens] are obliged to be in conformity with the law of the country they are staying in," Pavlov stated.

The case has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of social media influencers and the potential consequences of their actions abroad. As Zdorovetskiy awaits trial, the situation serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of respecting local customs and laws, especially when engaging in public content creation.