What began as online entertainment ended in jail time, court hearings, and an immigration order. A foreign vlogger who once drew crowds with shocking content is now quietly preparing to leave the Philippines after months in custody, marking the end of a controversy that stirred public anger and legal action.
Court Decision Clears the Path
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the Taguig City Regional Trial Court has resolved all criminal cases filed against Russian vlogger Vitaly Zdorovetskiy. Officials said he has already served the penalty imposed by the court, allowing deportation proceedings to move forward.
Deportation Order Already in Place
Immigration Legal Division chief Arvin Cesar Santos said the Board of Commissioners has issued a deportation order against Zdorovetskiy. His removal is subject to clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation and the courts where his cases were filed. Coordination with Russian authorities is ongoing.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla explained that Zdorovetskiy’s deportation will be based on his Russian passport, not his country of residence. Although he is a green card holder in the United States, Philippine law requires deportation to be processed according to passport origin.
BGC Stunts Led to Arrest
Zdorovetskiy was arrested in April 2025 after a series of livestreamed stunts in Bonifacio Global City. Police said the incidents involved harassment, theft, and public disturbance, drawing widespread criticism online and offline.
Victims and Allegations
Authorities said the vlogger targeted a security guard and an elderly woman, took items including an electric fan and a tricycle, and hurled insults at a Filipino wearing a face mask. He was charged with unjust vexation, alarm and scandal, and attempted theft, and later declared an undesirable foreign national.
Months Behind Bars
After his arrest, Zdorovetskiy was initially detained under the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. Although he later posted bail, he remained under the custody of the Bureau of Immigration due to his deportation hearing. He was detained for nearly nine months in total.
Remulla said the case sends a clear reminder that while foreign visitors are welcomed in the Philippines, they are expected to respect local laws and customs, just as Filipinos are required to do when abroad.
Exit Nears
Now 34, Zdorovetskiy is expected to be deported to Russia in the coming weeks once all required clearances are completed, closing a chapter that transformed viral fame into a cautionary tale.
