From the highest of the world to a New York Metropolis jail cell.
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The couple who climbed to the highest of the Empire State Constructing this week have been criminally charged on Thursday in reference to scaling the New York Metropolis skyscraper.
Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, have been every charged with first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree legal mischief and a further cost associated to climbing the practically 1,500 foot tall constructing on Wednesday, in line with a legal grievance filed by the Manhattan District Legal professional’s Workplace.
The couple scaled the constructing wearing darkish outfits and masks, then displayed a flag on the antenna studying: “When the ability of affection beats the love of energy, the world is aware of peace.”
Each pleaded not responsible. Their case isn’t bail-eligible so they may stay free beneath supervision quite than in custody as they await a possible trial.
The pair have been swarmed by journalists as they left the downtown Manhattan courthouse Thursday morning, hand in hand. “We’ll reply later. Proper now we’re not prepared. We simply must chill out,” Kuznetsov mentioned to a flurry of questions.
The couple spent the night time in jail. Kuznetsov mentioned his cell was chilly, however that “the persons are good there.” Requested concerning the nationwide consideration their stunt had drawn, he replied merely: “It’s nice.” Earlier than heading into the subway, the 2 kissed for photographers.
Their legal professional, Jason Krinsky, mentioned in a telephone name that his shoppers didn’t pose a hazard to the general public, noting that the wind speeds have been “very low” on the time. He additionally cited a press release from the Empire State Constructing which mentioned there was “no time hazard to tenants, guests, and Empire State Constructing Commentary Deck visitors.”
Krinsky mentioned the couple would return to their house in New Jersey. Nikolau informed reporters that they had moved there simply final week after beforehand residing in New York Metropolis — together with in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
In accordance with the grievance, Empire State Constructing’s safety alerted police at roughly 11:15 a.m. to a “potential breach of safety on the antenna positioned atop” of the constructing. Reaching the antenna requires passing by way of a number of restricted areas, “together with the 103rd ground, which is accessible solely to people who’ve a key card enabling entry to that space through a safe door positioned on the 102nd ground.”
Police discovered {that a} lock on a safety door to the 104th ground — which results in the published antenna — had been damaged, inflicting an estimated $2,000 in harm, the grievance states. It additionally notes that the antenna emits high-frequency radio indicators highly effective sufficient to hurt the human physique and that authorities needed to energy it down earlier than members of the NYPD Emergency Providers Unit might strategy the couple, a course of that took roughly half-hour. Officers then climbed 1,250 toes to achieve them.
In accordance with police, Nikolau and Kuznetsov “persevered in remaining on or close to the published antenna, from which they might not be simply extricated, and in doing so that they had positioned the officers in a extremely harmful state of affairs,” the grievance states.
Krinsky declined to say whether or not the couple anticipated to be arrested. Prosecutors mentioned in court docket that Kuznetsov informed police the stunt was meant to “do one thing particular for his engagement.” Atop the constructing, he appeared to get down on one knee and suggest; photographs Nikolau later posted on Instagram present her sporting a hoop. She informed reporters Thursday that police had since confiscated it.
The couple, initially from Russia, have been the topic of Netflix’s 2024 documentary “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” beneath the names Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus. Collectively, they’ve practically 2 million followers on Instagram. They’re due again in court docket on Aug. 24.
