Screenshot: social media
A Moscow court has arrested a popular Russian influencer in absentia over an online video he posted last year showing him throwing his 2-month-old baby into a large, powdery snowdrift, state-owned news agency RIA Novosti has reported.
Though Sergey Kosenko’s “criminal intent was not seen through to the end as the child’s fall was broken by the snow”, according to investigators, he was nevertheless still charged with the “improper upbringing of a minor” and “attempting to cause serious harm to a minor” over the stunt.
If found guilty, Kosenko faces up to 10 years in prison, though as he lives abroad he is currently beyond the reach of Russian law enforcement.
Kosenko, who is known for posting pictures of his luxurious lifestyle, shared the video with his 7 million followers on Instagram in early January 2024. However, upon receiving a barrage of criticism for the video, which was called “Leo’s first flight”, Kosenko deleted it and apologised, claiming that he had in fact only thrown a doll into the snow.
The head of Russia’s Investigative Committee Alexander Bastrykin issued instructions for a criminal case to be opened against Kosenko on 9 January 2024, and he was also placed on Russia’s wanted list in October.
