The Moldovan-born blogger known as Nekoglai, whose real name is Nikolay Lebedev, was expelled from Russia after a controversial incident captured on video. He later stated on his Telegram channel that he had filed torture complaints with the Russian Investigative Committee, a move that drew attention to the case and the broader pattern of alleged mistreatment by authorities. Nekoglai said that three individuals accused of crimes would not face punishment in Russia, which led him to submit a formal complaint to Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization. He claimed that trust in Russian institutions had eroded and that he had sent an Interpol notice a month earlier; he asserted that Interpol was already pursuing the matter.
The blogger asserted that he believed he could secure tens of millions of euros in compensation from Russia for alleged torture, intimidation, humiliation, and an attempted murder claim tied to the events he described. These remarks reflect his broader effort to seek redress for harms he perceives as connected to his experiences in Russia.
Earlier in November 2022, Nekoglai released a video that depicted a Russian soldier allegedly exhibiting brutal behavior, including the firing of grenades from a drone while distant from the soldier. The video and related actions prompted legal scrutiny, and Nekoglai was found to have violated immigration regulations. On November 24, 2022, he was expelled from Russia as a consequence of these violations.
On May 16, the Mash Telegram channel, which covers digital culture and commentary, reported that Nekoglai wrote a statement to the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation requesting punishment for police officers who detained him the previous November. According to Mash, during the arrest, law enforcement authorities reportedly confiscated two iPhones, a Dior jacket, 25,000 rubles, and a headband featuring ears that Nekoglai often wears during live streams. The report suggested that UK authorities were already reviewing the incident and that any misconduct by the officers could lead to disciplinary actions.
There is a note from Nekoglai’s legal representative indicating that the blogger did not draft any statement against the police officers who detained him, underscoring the contested nature of the allegations and the legal maneuvers surrounding the case. The evolving story continues to attract attention from viewers, legal commentators, and officials in both Russia and other countries, reflecting the complex intersection of online influence, national jurisdiction, and human rights concerns.