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Empire State Building climbers could face deportation and jail time
Fox News • • nation
Key Points:
- Angela Nikolau and Ivan Kuznetsov, the Russian couple who climbed the Empire State Building in July and went viral for their stunt, face felony and misdemeanor charges including reckless endangerment and unlawful climbing.
- The couple's attorney revealed that a plea deal offering reduced misdemeanor charges to avoid severe immigration consequences was withdrawn by prosecutors just before a recent court hearing.
- If deported, Kuznetsov risks being sent to fight in the Ukraine war, while Nikolau could face jail time in Russia for her artistic expression, according to their lawyer.
- Kuznetsov maintains they did not cause damage or endanger anyone and emphasized their intent was to spread a message of love, standing united with Nikolau outside the courthouse.
- The Manhattan District Attorney's Office stated that no plea offer was withdrawn and that the charges against the couple remain unchanged.
