Russian Blogger Under Investigation for Alleged Incitement to Sexual Assault

Russian blogger and self-described pick-up coach Alexander Kirillov, known publicly as Alex Leslie, is under criminal investigation in Moscow, Orda.kz reports.

On June 25, Russia’s Investigative Committee announced that a case had been opened against Kirillov for allegedly encouraging others to commit sexual assault (Part 4 of Article 33, Part 1 of Article 131 of the Russian Criminal Code).

According to the investigation, the blogger persuaded his followers to commit illegal sexual acts against female residents of the capital. This was captured on video. Investigators from the capital's Investigative Committee are conducting investigative actions aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident, the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation reports.

As reported by The Insider, Kirillov's so-called “trainings” included instructing participants to approach unknown women in public, touch them without consent, and make explicit proposals. The case has prompted online reactions, including video testimonies from women and a flash mob campaign aimed at raising awareness and encouraging others to speak out against harassment.

Kirillov has drawn criticism outside Russia as well.

In 2022, he announced plans to host a training session in Kazakhstan, which sparked backlash online. In response, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs banned him from entering the country for one year.

Despite later claims by Kirillov that he had traveledto Almaty, including videos from the airport, Kazakh authorities confirmed he never entered the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs described his content as misleading and said his presence was unwelcome.

Original Author: Oksana Matvienko