Russia reportedly awards convicted pedophile a medal and pardon for fighting in Ukraine

The Russian authorities have reportedly given a state award to a convicted pedophile who was recruited into the army directly from prison. Ilya Belostotsky, a former children’s TV show director convicted of sexually assaulting a minor in 2022, announced Monday that he had received a medal “for saving lives” while serving in the Russian army in Ukraine.

“Under Russian law, I am exempt from punishment and my criminal record has been expunged,” Belostotsky told the news site msk1.ru. “Friends, rejoice — opponents, gnash your teeth.”

Belostotsky was unsure of the exact reason for his nomination but suggested it might be related to saving a commander in battle. “If I ever get leave, I’ll go to our unit’s headquarters in Russia — that’s where the decree for the award is — and then I’ll find out for sure,” he said.

The lawyer representing the aggrieved party in Belostotsky’s trial told msk1.ru that her clients have no intention of appealing his release.