Charges change against Russian performance artist Pyotr Pavlensky

The criminal charges against Russian art activist Pyotr Pavlensky have been changed from “vandalism” to “damaging a cultural heritage site”.

The new charge carries a much weightier possible sentence of up to six years in prison, compared to three years for vandalism.

Pavlensky set fire to the entrance of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) on 9 November 2015 in an artistic action against the organisation. Later in November, he asked for the charges against him to be changed from vandalism to terrorism.

Known for his violent artistic actions, in 2012 Pavlensky sewed his mouth shut in protest against the detention of Russian punk group Pussy Riot, while in November 2013 he nailed his scrotum to the ground on Red Square.

Source: Moscow Times