The former Russia international and Lokomotiv Moscow midfielder Dmitry Tarasov weighed in on recent comments made by Cyprus striker Alexander Kokorin about how every man could end up in jail. Tarasov neither endorses nor fully rejects Kokorin’s stance; he simply shares his own viewpoint in response to the public remarks and stresses that he holds a personal position on the matter.
Kokorin had asserted in a recent interview that any reasonable person might deserve imprisonment, a claim that sparked widespread discussion. Tarasov, reflecting on the controversy, clarified that he does not speak for Kokorin and does not necessarily share the same conviction. His own stance remains personal and separate, underscoring the diversity of opinions that can exist even among teammates and friends in professional sports.
The public discourse surrounding Kokorin intensified after a 2018 incident in Moscow involving Kokorin, his brother Kirill Kokorin, Pavel Mamaev, and their associate Alexander Protasovitsky. The group faced criminal charges stemming from two altercations in central Moscow. One incident led to Viktor Denis Pak, the head of a department within the Ministry of Industry and Trade, being struck with a chair, while Kokorin himself sustained injuries during the confrontation. The events drew substantial media attention and prompted a broader conversation about personal responsibility and accountability in society.
In 2019, the defendants received prison sentences that reflected the severity of the offenses. Mamaev and Protasovitsky were sentenced to a little over a year in a general regime penal colony, while the Kokorin brothers received one and a half years in custody. By September 2019, all involved were released on parole, marking the end of the formal criminal proceedings for that chapter. The outcomes prompted ongoing debates about rehabilitation, public conduct, and the implications of high-profile athletes facing legal consequences.
Valery Karpin, a former coach of the Russian national team, later commented on Kokorin’s situation, suggesting that meaningful lessons can be learned through life experiences beyond the confines of a prison cell. This perspective emphasized growth, responsibility, and the value of learning from mistakes, rather than viewing punishment as the sole pathway to insight. The broader message resonated with fans and commentators who advocate for accountability while recognizing the complexities of personal development in the public eye.