Lawyer Alexander Khaminsky indicated that singer Charlotte could face both administrative and criminal liability for a range of alleged offenses. His assessment has been reported as News coverage.
The potential penalties include the intentional destruction of a passport under Article 19.16 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which can carry a fine of up to 300 rubles. Demonstrating passport burning online is viewed as petty hooliganism under Part 3 of Article 20.1 of the same Code, with fines reaching up to 100 thousand rubles. Discrediting the Armed Forces falls under Article 20.3.3, potentially resulting in fines of up to 500 thousand rubles, according to the lawyer.
Additionally, the police may review the artist’s statements perceived as anti-religious, which could lead to administrative responsibility under Article 20.3.1 of the Administrative Code or criminal liability under Article 282 of the Criminal Code, depending on the specifics of the case.
According to Khaminsky, a rise to prominence by the singer could come with significant legal consequences, potentially ending her show career and affecting other aspects of her life, given the legal ramifications involved.
Late at night on November 22, reports stated that Charlotte traveled from Yerevan to St. Petersburg, with a stop at Pulkovo airport. After the plane landed, she was detained and transported to a local police station in handcuffs, marking a notable development in the ongoing coverage of her activities.
Earlier in June, the artist released a video in which she stated her intention to renounce Russian citizenship by burning her passport. Prior to that, Charlotte had criticized the Russian government in another video and was seen tearing down a portrait of the president, actions noted by observers as provocative statements tied to political sentiment.
There have been persistent rumor-driven reports about tension between the artist and authorities, including speculative accounts of confrontations at a police station and related incidents. Observers emphasize that the legal process will determine the precise consequences of these events, and outcomes may vary based on evidence and judicial interpretation.
As the case develops, legal experts underscore that the Russian administrative and criminal codes include a spectrum of penalties for acts perceived as anti-state or anti-government conduct, with fines and other sanctions calibrated to the seriousness of each incident. The situation highlights how cultural figures can become focal points in public debates over legitimacy, citizenship, and freedom of expression, and how authorities may pursue accountability through both administrative and criminal channels. [Source Attribution: Legal counsel statements and official case records cited in ongoing coverage]