On April 19, 2025, singer Eduard Sharlot, who is currently serving a 5.5-year prison sentence, was removed from the register of individuals associated with extremist activities or terrorism, according to updated data from Rosfinmonitoring, the Russian financial monitoring service.
Sharlot, whose real name is Eduard Sharlot, is not the only one to be removed from the registry; five other individuals were also excluded. However, the specific reasons for their removal from the list remain unspecified.
In December 2024, the Samara Regional Court found Sharlot guilty under Part 4 of Article 354.1 of the Criminal Code for disseminating information that expresses clear disrespect for society regarding days of military glory and memorable dates related to the defense of the Fatherland, as well as desecrating symbols of military glory of Russia. He was also convicted under Part 1 of Article 148 for public actions that insult the religious feelings of believers.
The state prosecutor had sought a harsher sentence of 7 years and 5 months in a general regime colony, along with a fine of 299,000 rubles. However, the Fourth Appellate Court of General Jurisdiction in Nizhny Novgorod upheld the original sentence of 5.5 years on April 15, 2025.
Sharlot’s legal troubles began in November 2023 when he was detained at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg upon returning from Armenia. He faced charges related to several videos he posted on social media, where he publicly burned his Russian passport, tore a portrait resembling President Vladimir Putin, and engaged in other provocative acts. In one particularly controversial video, he pinned a photo of Patriarch Kirill to a cross along with his military ID.
Following his conviction, the prosecutor's office deemed the sentence too lenient and filed an appeal, but the appellate court ultimately upheld the ruling. Despite being removed from the extremist registry, Sharlot still faces the consequences of his conviction, which includes serving his sentence in a penal colony.
In January 2024, Sharlot wrote a letter of apology to Patriarch Kirill, expressing remorse for his actions. Reports emerged that the Patriarch had forgiven Sharlot and requested that he not be punished further. This gesture came after a representative of the Russian Orthodox Church testified in court that the Patriarch had asked for leniency.
The exclusion from the Rosfinmonitoring registry does not nullify Sharlot's sentence but does lift certain financial restrictions imposed on him as a result of being listed as an extremist.
Eduard Sharlot gained fame through his participation in a popular music project called "Songs on TNT" and released an album titled "Forever Young," which included the hit song "Cheek to Cheek." His controversial statements and actions regarding the Russian government and military actions, particularly in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, have drawn significant public attention and scrutiny.
Sharlot's case highlights the complex intersection of art, expression, and legal repercussions in contemporary Russia, where dissenting voices often face severe consequences. The removal from the extremist list may signal a shift in how authorities view his actions, but the implications of his conviction remain significant.
As the situation unfolds, many are left to wonder what this means for Sharlot's future and for artistic expression in Russia more broadly.
