Controversial social media personality Vitaly Zdorovetskiy has been arrested in the Philippines on multiple criminal charges following a series of harassment incidents captured during his livestreams.
The Russian-born YouTuber faces accusations of unjust vexation, alarm and scandal, and attempted theft after allegedly harassing Filipino citizens while broadcasting his antics.
Philippine authorities have classified Zdorovetskiy as a “Non-Desirable Alien” and will keep him in custody while he awaits trial. Departing from the usual approach with foreign troublemakers, officials confirmed he wouldn’t be quickly deported but must instead face legal consequences within the Philippines.
Vitaly will NOT be deported from the Philippines and must face charges INSIDE the country.pic.twitter.com/6TKuTeUXDp
— DramaAlert (@DramaAlert) April 7, 2025
“He will face trial and serve penalties here,” stated Jonvic Remulla from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The stance shows the government’s intention to make an example of foreigners who disrespect local laws and citizens.
Authorities aren’t stopping with just Zdorovetskiy either. Investigations are underway to charge his local cameraman who facilitated the offensive livestreams.
This isn’t Zdorovetskiy’s first run-in with the law. The content creator built his career on increasingly outrageous pranks, including storming the field during the World Cup final and climbing the Hollywood sign.
In 2020, he was arrested for assaulting a female jogger in Miami, marking a pattern of behavior that has repeatedly crossed legal boundaries.
Zdorovetskiy gained fame in the early 2010s through viral YouTube pranks, amassing millions of followers across multiple platforms. However, his content has grown increasingly controversial, with critics condemning his tactics as exploitative and harmful.
