Influencer, 23, faces up to five years in prison in Russia after 'ticking' the chest of famous war statue in an Instagram video
A RUSSIAN influencer faces up to five years in prison after “ticking” the chest of a famous war statue.
Alena Agafonova, 23, found herself in hot water after posting a video under The Motherland Calls monument in Volgograd, south-west Russiaon Instagram last year.
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The monument, a 230-metre-high statue of a woman brandishing a sword, commemorates the 'Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad' – one of the WWII most epic battles.
In the video, which is now officially banned in Russia, Alena appears to “tickle” the figure's right breast.
She went into hiding Sri Lanka shortly after the film was made.
Alena was placed on Russia's wanted list after the incident and was detained this week when she returned to her home country.
The influencer was immediately removed Moscow to Volgograd and has now been held for two months pending further investigation.
She humbly apologized for her actions, but remains standing criminal prosecution in Volgograd and a prison sentence of up to five years.
Alena has been accused of “desecration of a cemetery” and “cynical actions that disregard the norms of morality,” as well as the “rehabilitation of Nazism”.
Her pursuit shows the new morality in Russia Vladimir Putin amid the war of Ukraine.
Authorities are cracking down on any behavior seen as antipatriotic or contrary to 'traditional values'.
Footage showed Alena handcuffed as a law enforcement officer berated her for her behavior.
“I inform you that the Investigative Department of the Volgograd Central District has a criminal case pending against you for the desecration of a symbol of Russia's military glory,” he said.
The officer added that her video was an “insult to the memory of the defenders of the homeland.”
It appeared that Alena had been ordered to make a public apology – an increasing trend in Putin's repressive state among those who flout increasingly strict laws.
“I address all the residents of Russia and Volgograd and ask everyone not to commit the acts I did last year because of my stupidity,” she said.
“I didn't even think I could offend anyone's feelings.”
“I ask all Russian citizens for forgiveness.”
Separately, she apologized “deeply” for her stunt.
The statue is one of the most famous in Russia and commemorates those who fought and died in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II, resulting in a decisive Soviet victory against Adolf Hitler.
The USSR suffered more than a million casualties during the Battle of Stalingrad, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943.
In addition, social activist Rasul Akhiyaretdinov has called on Putin to cover up The Motherland Calls statue.
He was ashamed of her 'openly protruding nipples', in which he said he saw 'homosexual moments and a decline in morality'.
The statue, which dates back to the Soviet era in 1967, could be disturbing to both Orthodox and Muslim Russians, Akhiyaretdinov claims.
“It would be better if the motherland got more coverage,” he said.
He plans to appeal to Putin to call for a cover-up.
Elsewhere, a pair of female Russian influencers have been forced to issue reprehensible apologies and face heavy fines during a kiss they posted on social media.
Vlada Alchaeva, 24, and her friend Vika, 19, were told they could “harm the psyche” of children who saw them kissing last week.
Another influencer also faced a possible prison sentence of six years in Russia for using Instagram after the app was banned by Putin.
Veronika Loginova, 18, claimed she was victimized because she “stands out too much”.
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