Detained Russian vlogger asks DILG chief Remulla to drop charges

Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy, currently detained for harassing Filipinos in public for content, has asked Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla to drop the charges against him, citing mental health concerns.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras” on Friday, Remulla said he received a letter from the Russian detainee. 

“Sumulat sa akin na he is suffering from mental health issues daw,” Remulla said. “Kung puwede i-drop na ‘yung mga kaso, humihingi siya ng patawad.” 

(He wrote to me that he is allegedly suffering from mental health issues…asking if the charges filed against him could be dropped, and he also asked for forgiveness.) 

But Remulla maintained that Zdorovetskiy’s actions should never go unpunished. He further stated that charges of unjust vexation against Zdorovetskiy for harassing three security guards will be filed in court next week. 

Earlier, the Taguig Prosecutor's Office had dismissed the theft charges but found “sufficient evidence on record to establish a reasonable certainty of conviction for the crime of unjust vexation.” 

Remulla also said that Zdorovetskiy’s legal team attempted to reach a settlement with the security guards. 

“Mabuti na lang, ‘yung mga security guards ay matibay ang loob. Hindi bumigay at itutuloy natin ang kaso,” he said.

(Good thing our security guards stood firm. They did not fall for it and will continue with the case.) 

GMA Integrated News is trying to reach out to the legal team of the Russian vlogger. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News