A Russian couple known for climbing daredevils got engaged on the Empire State Building in New York City (NYC), US, on July 1.
Angela Nikolau-33, and Ivan Kuznetsov-32, were arrested on Wednesday by the New York Police Department (NYPD) as they climbed the building without permission.
Ivan proposed to Angela for marriage after reaching the building’s 443-metre (1,454ft) summit.
The pair, who are well known in the urban climbing community, flagged a black banner carrying the message: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
According to the US media reports, the couple appeared before a court in Manhattan at 6:00pm Pakistan Standard Time (PKT) on Thursday.
They face several charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, criminal tampering, disorderly conduct and possession of burglars’ tools.
The two reportedly spent the night in separate holding cells before being brought to court. Court records identify them as Russian nationals who share an address in New Jersey.
Both of them got released from jail on July 3, as seen in an Instagram reel they celebrated the moment with happiness.
Nikolau and Kuznetsov are among a growing number of social media personalities known for “rooftopping”, climbing tall buildings to capture photographs and record videos.
Kuznetsov’s Instagram account has more than 500,000 followers, while Nikolau has around 1.8 million.
The stunt was monitored by a New York Police Department drone and helicopter before officers from the department’s Emergency Service Unit arrested the pair.
In a statement, the owners of the Empire State Building said people wishing to propose marriage should use the building’s observation deck instead.
He said, “It is to be emphasised that the Empire State Building Observation Deck, atop the World’s Most Famous Building in the centre of New York City, does offer a practical way for the most memorable marriage proposals.”
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