Russian Activist Petr Pavlensky Receives Six-Month Prison Term for Leaking Sex Video involving Macron Ally

Russian activist artist Petr Pavlensky has been sentenced to six months in custody by a French court for his involvement in a sex tape scandal that led to the downfall of a political ally of President Macron. Pavlensky, who relocated to France in 2017, will serve his sentence outside of prison while wearing an electronic tag. His partner, Alexandra de Taddeo, will also face a six-month suspended sentence. The couple released a video in 2020 that caused Benjamin Griveaux to withdraw his candidacy for mayor of Paris. In addition to their sentences, they have been ordered to pay €15,000 in damages to Mr. Griveaux and €5,000 to cover legal fees. The scandal unfolded when screenshots of private messages between Mr. Griveaux and Ms. Taddeo were leaked online alongside explicit content. Ms. Taddeo was subsequently arrested on charges of invasion of privacy and sharing personal images without consent. Pavlensky confessed to posting the video. Mr. Griveaux, who was seeking the mayoral seat in Paris, gave up politics and did not attend the trial. In response to the incident, various political figures voiced their disapproval of Pavlensky's actions. Pavlensky has a history of controversial performances, including nailing his scrotum to Moscow's Red Square in 2013. Leaving the courtroom after the sex tape trial, he stated that he will not appeal against the judge's decision, declaring that his art piece Pornopolitics is now complete.