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Russian daredevil couple Angela Nikolau, 33, and Ivan Kuznetsov, 32, are facing possible jail time and deportation after their viral climb to the top of New York City's Empire State Building landed them in serious legal trouble.

The couple attracted worldwide attention in July after scaling the iconic skyscraper and displaying a black flag carrying a message about love and peace. Kuznetsov also proposed to Nikolau moments after the climb.

However, their legal situation has become more complicated after their attorney, Noam Biale, claimed a proposed plea agreement with Manhattan prosecutors collapsed shortly before their latest court appearance.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Kuznetsov defended their actions, saying, "We didn't damage any property. We didn't intend to put anyone in danger."

He added, "We just wanted to send message of love, and we're ready to defend ourselves."

Biale said prosecutors had offered misdemeanor pleas that would protect the couple from what he described as "catastrophic immigration consequences." However, he claimed the offer was withdrawn the night before the hearing.

Biale also warned that deportation to Russia could have serious consequences for both defendants.

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Transcript
00:05We're going to move down a little bit.
00:08No decision.
00:10Huh?
00:10No decision today.
00:14They're going to say something.
00:31So, I stood before you two weeks ago and I said that we were hopeful and confident that
00:36we were going to reach a resolution.
00:38And that was because a few days before that, the DA's office called us and offered us a
00:44misdemeanor plea, which we accepted.
00:47That misdemeanor plea would have protected Mr. Kuznetsov and Ms. Nikolaou from potentially
00:53catastrophic immigration consequences, including deportation to Russia.
00:59Last night, we received an email from the DA's office saying that they were no longer offering
01:06that misdemeanor and they instead intended to pursue felony charges.
01:11That is a bait and switch.
01:14They retracted their offer and now they want to fight the case.
01:19Well, we are prepared for a fight.
01:23Mr. Kuznetsov and Ms. Nikolaou are now facing the risk of prison time and deportation.
01:30And if sent back to Russia, Mr. Kuznetsov will almost certainly be sent to fight in the war in Ukraine.
01:37And Ms. Nikolaou may be jailed for her artistic expression.
01:42That response is completely disproportionate to the crime here, which our clients are prepared to take responsibility for.
01:50This is not American justice.
01:53And if the DA's office wants to pursue this outcome, we are ready for a fight.
02:01I want to say we didn't damage any property at the Empire State Building.
02:05We didn't intend to put anyone in danger.
02:10And we just want to say to send message to the world, to send message of love.
02:18And we're ready to defend ourselves.
02:21We wanted to share a message of peace with so much pain in the world today.
02:27We wanted to create a performance to stay in the people's hearts.

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