Couple who scaled Empire State Building could be deported to Russia and 'forced to fight in Ukraine'
The couple who infamously scaled the Empire State Building are facing the prospect of being booted out of the US, according to their lawyer, who has also said there is a possibility of them being forced to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, have acknowledged that their stomach-churning stunt was 'dangerous', but continue to insist it was merely an act of artistic expression.
However, officials in New York don't appear to be on the same page - as the pair's attorney has announced that they are 'now facing the risk of prison time and deportation'.
Kuznetsov and Nikolau, who are originally from Russia and are reportedly in the US on a talent visa, stunned the world back in July this year after they climbed to the top of the Empire State Building, unveiled a huge banner and appeared to act out a proposal.
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The pair even found time to share a smooch while loitering on the 1,454ft (443 metres) tall tourist attraction, before police officers apprehended them.
According to the couple, they were merely on a mission to spread some positivity when they unfurled the banner which read: "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace."
The duo were charged with several offences, including felony burglary and reckless endangerment for their antics, and appeared in court this week.
But despite their lawyer Noam Biale initially being 'hopeful and confident' that an amicable resolution would soon be reached, he claims Manhattan's District Attorney now intends to punish them to the fullest extent of the law.
The 'catastrophic immigration consequences' they face
Speaking outside court in wake of a hearing on Thursday (12 November), he claimed that prosecutors have now back pedalled after previously agreeing to offer Kuznetsov and Nikolau a misdemeanour plea deal.
Biale told reporters this would have 'protected them from potentially catastrophic immigration consequences, including deportation to Russia'.
"Last night, we received an email from the DA's office saying they were no longer offering that misdemeanour and that they instead intend to pursue felony charges instead," Biale said.
"That is a bait and switch. They retracted their offer and now they want to fight the case. Well, we are prepared for a fight. Mr Kuznetsov and Ms Nikolau are now facing the risk of prison time and deportation."
What fate could await the couple in Russia if they are deported
Biale went on: "And if sent back to Russia, Mr Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine and Ms Nikolau may be jailed for her artistic expression. That response is completely disproportionate to the crime here, which our clients are prepared to take responsibility for. That is not American justice."
Kuznetsov then chimed in to insist they did not 'damage any property' or 'intend to put anyone in danger' when they scaled the Empire State Building.
"We just wanted to send a message to the world, send a message of love," he said. "And we're ready to defend ourselves."
Nikolau then added: "We wanted to share a message of peace. With so much pain in the world today, we wanted to create a performance to stay in the peoples hearts."
In an interview with Good Morning America this week, they offered further explanation as to what motivated their stunt and described how they were willing to 'die for' their art.
"We know how dangerous it is," Kuznetsov said. "We know that it's deadly dangerous and we actually want to say to people that don't try to repeat it, because we've been doing it for 15 years. And maybe you should find another way to express yourself about love. There are a lot of ideas to express ourselves. We just do it by our own way."
He appeared in the 2024 Netflix documentary Skywalkers: A Love Story with his partner, which documented their attempt to climb Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 super-skyscraper.
He said that both he and Katersky are 'ready to take responsibility for what we did' while offering an apology to the two police officers tasked with taking them into custody.
"We didn’t want to make a crime, but we are ready to take responsibility for what we did," Kuznetsov said. "I think we need to apologise only to policemen who tried to catch us upstairs. They were so kind and professional."
Defending their stunt as a means of artistic expression, Katersky added: "If I skip my mission, it’s not interesting for me to wake up every day. It’s why I can die for my art."
LADbible has contacted the Manhattan District Attorney office for comment.
Olivia Burke
