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Empire State proposal stunt
Russian urban climbers Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, were arraigned Thursday on felony charges after scaling the Empire State Building’s 1,454-foot spire on July 1 and unfurling a banner before Kuznetsov proposed near the top.
The couple were released under court supervision after Judge Janice Chen granted supervised release, and the charges were not bail-eligible under New York law, with court records listing eight counts including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief.
A criminal complaint described the broadcast antenna as emitting high-frequency radio signals powerful enough to harm the human body, meaning it had to be powered down before NYPD Emergency Service Unit officers could safely climb roughly 1,250 feet to reach the pair.
The Express Tribune said the stunt prompted an emergency response as New York Police Department officers climbed the structure to safely detain the pair, and it said the couple were released on supervised release following their appearance in Manhattan Criminal Court.
The National Desk reported that in the criminal complaint, Kuznetsov told investigators he had to "do something special for his engagement," and it said they will appear in court again on Aug. 24.
Court supervision and disputes
After spending the night in jail at 100 Centre Street, where the Manhattan Criminal Court is located, Kuznetsov and Nikolau appeared before a judge wearing the same black clothes they were seen climbing in on Wednesday, according to WABC.
The National Desk said their lawyer told the district attorney’s office "overcharged" the case, and it reported that a plea was not entered at their initial court appearance.
The Express Tribune described video recorded outside the courthouse showing the pair holding hands before sharing a kiss, and it said the legal proceedings shifted from the viral moment to the criminal charges stemming from the unauthorised ascent.
The National Desk also quoted an officer heard on NYPD video saying, "You can't be up here," as police apprehended the pair, and it said police said both face multiple charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, and criminal mischief.
Time Magazine reported that the Empire State Building spokesperson said there was "at no time danger to tenants, visitors, and Empire State Building Observation Deck guests," while it also said how the pair reached the antenna is still under investigation.
Charges, next steps, and fallout
The Latin Times account said court records list eight counts—burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, violation of a local law, possession of burglar's tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct—and it said the couple could face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
The National Desk said they were formally charged with reckless endangerment, burglary, criminal mischief and other charges, and it reported that they will appear in court again on Aug. 24.
The Express Tribune said authorities had not disclosed how the pair accessed the restricted sections of the building before carrying out the climb, and it said the couple remain on supervised release as the case proceeds through the New York court system.
Time Magazine said the NYPD identified them as Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, and Angelina Nikolau, 33, and it reported that police said both face charges including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, possession of burglar's tools, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
In a statement, the Empire State Building said the unauthorized incident was resolved with the constructive and helpful coordination of the NYPD and that it was "to be emphasized" that the Observation Deck offers a practical way for memorable marriage proposals, as Time Out Worldwide quoted.
