Vitaly Zdorovetskiy in BJMP Custody
VITALY ZDOROVETSKIY – The Russian-American vlogger, known for his controversial prank videos, has been transferred to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in the Philippines.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Zdorovetskiy was moved to BJMP custody on June 11, 2025. He will remain there while the courts resolve his legal cases, after which he may face deportation.
Zdorovetskiy was arrested in April 2025 after several videos went viral, showing him harassing Filipinos for online content in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. In his videos, he was seen taking a security guard’s cap, riding a patrol motorcycle, stealing an electric fan from a restaurant, and performing other disruptive stunts. He also filmed a security guard without permission and mocked him by singing lines from Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi. In one incident, he drove a tricycle, accidentally sideswiped a passenger, and lightly crashed into a jeepney. These actions led the Bureau of Immigration to label him as an “undesirable” foreign national.
Despite filing a request for temporary release on bail, Zdorovetskiy’s petition was denied. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado emphasized that this case is not just about administrative procedures but about upholding the country’s immigration laws. Viado firmly stated that foreign nationals who disrespect Philippine laws must face consequences and that the BI will not allow legal maneuvers or publicity stunts to influence deportation processes. He also stressed that no special treatment would be given.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously declared that Zdorovetskiy would not be deported immediately, as both Russia and the United States refused to take him back. Instead, he will serve his sentence in the Philippines.
This is not the first time Zdorovetskiy has faced legal issues. In 2016, he was arrested for illegally climbing the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. In 2020, he faced charges for climbing a pyramid in Egypt and for assaulting a woman in Miami. Despite his repeated controversies, Zdorovetskiy has amassed over 10 million subscribers on YouTube.