Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, returned to a Manhattan courtroom Thursday for another hearing in the criminal case stemming from their July climb to the top of the Empire State Building, a stunt that drew worldwide attention after Kuznetsov proposed to Nikolau on camera moments after they reached the top.
The Russian couple face felony charges of first-degree reckless endangerment, second-degree criminal mischief and third-degree burglary, along with a misdemeanor charge of unlawful climbing. During the climb, the pair displayed a black flag reading “when the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.”
Their attorney, Noam Biale, says the case took a turn for the worse just before Thursday’s hearing. He told reporters his team had accepted an offer from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office under which the climbers would plead guilty to misdemeanor charges only, a deal he said would have protected them from what he called “catastrophic immigration consequences.” Biale said that offer was withdrawn the night before the court appearance.
The Manhattan DA’s office disputes that account. A spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “As we stated in court, it is not accurate to state that any offer was withdrawn. The charges remain the same.”
Biale argued that if his clients are convicted on the felony counts and deported to Russia, the consequences could be severe. “If sent back to Russia, Mr. Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine and Ms. Nikolau may be jailed for her artistic expression,” he said.
Speaking outside the courthouse after the hearing, Kuznetsov defended the stunt. “We didn’t damage any property. We didn’t intend to put anyone in danger,” he said. “We just wanted to send message of love, and we’re ready to defend ourselves.”
Kuznetsov, who has been engaged to Nikolau for nearly four months, stood holding her hand as she broke down in tears outside the courthouse.
The case remains unresolved, with prosecutors and defense attorneys offering conflicting accounts of where plea negotiations currently stand.
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