Russian singer who burned ID in protest against war in Ukraine sent to pre-trial detention on charges of ‘rehabilitating Nazism’ and ‘insulting believers’ feelings’

Samara’s Kirovsky District Court has sent singer Eduard Sharlot to a pre-trial detention center until January 24, 2024, on charges of “rehabilitating Nazism” and “insulting believers’ feelings,” reports 63.ru.

In court, the investigator said that Sharlot had admitted guilt for the crimes he was accused of and expressed remorse, according to RIA Novosti.

Mash reports that Sharlot recited a poem in court that he wrote while under administrative arrest in St. Petersburg, which included the line, “Russia, I was rude to you right from the start — I apologize to the Russian people.”

Sharlot is charged with two counts of “rehabilitating Nazism” and one count of “violating the right to freedom of conscience and religion.” The case was initiated due to videos posted on Sharlot’s Instagram, including one in which he burned his Russian ID and said he was against the war and one in which nailed his military ID and a photo of Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill to a crucifix.

The defense plans to appeal the court's decision.

Police arrested singer Eduard Sharlot at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg upon his arrival from Yerevan, Armenia, on November 22. In a video recorded at the police station after his arrest, Sharlot apologized for burning his Russian ID and said he would “not do it again.”