Empire State Building Daredevil Couple Released After Court Appearance

New details have emerged about the Russian daredevil couple who scaled the Empire State Building this week, unfurling a banner and staging a dramatic proposal at the top of the iconic skyscraper.

The Stunt and Arrests

On July 1, Angelina Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov (also known as Ivan Beerkus), 32, climbed to the building’s 104th floor and broke through a locked door to reach the broadcast antenna. Investigators revealed that officers could not immediately approach them because the antenna had to be powered down due to dangerous high‑frequency signals.

The couple, who have gained notoriety online for their extreme skyscraper climbs, stayed on the spire for several minutes, unfurling a black banner quoting Jimi Hendrix: “When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace.” Kuznetsov then proposed to Nikolau before they were taken into custody.

Court Appearance

Both were charged in Manhattan Criminal Court with reckless endangerment, burglary, and other felonies. They did not enter a plea but were granted supervised release. Their next court date is scheduled for August 24.

Despite the serious charges, the pair smiled, kissed, and told reporters: “We love New York.” Their attorney, Jason Krinsky, argued prosecutors had “overcharged” the case, saying: “As far as what I’ve seen, it was a message of love.”

Family and Performance Claims

Nikolau’s father told ABC News the couple were already married and described the stunt as a “performance.” The duo posted close‑up photos of the proposal and ring on social media before their arrest.

Security Concerns

Officials noted that security had been strengthened after previous trespassing attempts, but believe the couple may have observed employees and used a worker entrance to bypass screening. The incident has renewed concerns about safety at one of New York’s most famous landmarks.

Nguồn: ABC News, NYPD, Manhattan Criminal Court