Russian singer who burned Russian ID in protest against war in Ukraine arrested at St. Petersburg airport, apologizes in police video for his actions

Police arrested singer Eduard Sharlot, known simply as Sharlot, at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg upon his arrival from Yerevan, Armenia. Sharlot was handcuffed and taken to a local police station where administrative protocols were drawn up against him for intentionally damaging an identity document and “discrediting” the Russian army, report the Baza Telegram channel and REN TV. Sharlot was also charged with disorderly conduct, which could lead to a 15-day jail sentence.

In June, Sharlot posted a video on Instagram where he burned his internal Russian passport and appealed to the Ukrainian authorities, saying he was against the war and wanted to go to Kyiv. In July, media reported that Sharlot had posted another video, showing him nailing his military ID and a photo of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill to a crucifix.

In mid-November, Ekaterina Mizulina, head of the Safe Internet League, filed a complaint against Sharlot with the Russian Investigative Committee and the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry, asking them to investigate Sharlot who she said had “publicly discredited the Russian army, insulted believers’ feelings, and deliberately burned a Russian passport.” The day after Mizulina’s statement, Sharlot announced he was returning to Russia to “fight for Russian-language culture” and to record a new album.

In a video recorded at the police station after his arrest, Sharlot apologized for burning the document and said he would “not do it again.”