He made an ass of himself during the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 by rushing onto the stage and lowering his trousers during Jamala’s performance of “I Believe in U”.

And on Tuesday a Ukrainian court finally made notorious Ukrainian prankster Vitalii Sediuk pay for flashing his buttocks, issuing him with a fine of 8,500 UAH, or around 284 euros.

As Defector reports, prosecutors originally asked the court that he be punished with 240 hours of community service. His relatively lenient sentence comes after he apologised to Jamala and told the court his actions were born of art rather than hooliganism. As he said: “I had no conscious desire to hurt someone.”

Eurovision 2017: Vitalii the streaker

On May 13 Vitalii stormed the stage wearing an Australian flag, prompting social media users to throw shade on the “Aussie” visitor and leading one Australian journalist to express his dismay on behalf of Australian fans during Salvador Sobral’s press conference afterwards.

But as it turns out the flag was just a guise to conceal Vitalii’s identity — and one that was quickly undone after security dragged him off the stage.

The performance marred what was meant to be Jamala’s big send-off after winning Eurovision 2016 and bringing the prestigious event to her country.

On May 14 Ukrainian authorities made it clear they were not amused, revealing that they had placed the interloper under arrest and that he may face anything from a fine to five years in prison on hooliganism charges. He was detained for 72 hours.

Writing on Facebook, the nation’s Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said: “During the performance of our Jamala, and according to his own words, he decided to realise his hobby as he ‘unofficially works as a provocative journalist.'”

“This is a disgrace to the country, and he will be able to exercise his ‘hobby’ in a prison cell and temporary holding facility.”

Mr Sediuk, who was previously banned from the United States for pulling a stunt on Brad Pitt, has caused problems for celebrities including Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian.

In September 2016 he approached supermodel Gigi from behind, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her into the air — before she rightly whacked him in the face. The previous week he had been filmed kissing Kardashian’s bum as she arrived at a Paris restaurant.

Naturally Australians wondered aloud whether the incident, which occurred as Europeans were deciding who to vote for, impacted their televote score. Australia was ranked fourth with the juries but second last in televoting.

The public are also curious why the prankster chose to wear an Australian flag. Was he commenting on Australia’s participation in the contest? Was he trying to sabotage their participation in future contests?

Kudos to Jamala, who, like the consummate professional she is, completely ignored what was happening and continued singing.

You can watch her performance here but without the incident…sorry!

What was your reaction to the incident? Do you think the fine is sufficient? Should he have had to pay a fine and serve time? Let us know in the comments box below.

41 Comments
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Denis
Denis
6 years ago

I think the punishment is fair. I mean flashing isn’t really that serious of a crime. It wont send anyone in prison, not in Ukraine, Sweden or anywhere else. It’s more of an offence than a crime. He didn’t hurt Jamala or anybody else and he apologised to her. You don’t send people in jail for that. To suggest Australia didn’t get points because of that is ludacris. It happened near the ending of the voting where most people already voted and now had a toilet break or something. The reason Australia didn’t get points could be due to other… Read more »

This is my opinion (TIMO)
This is my opinion (TIMO)
6 years ago

Sorry guys but I just laughed my head off. I couldn’t believe what I saw. Imagine if jamala were to sing 1944 at that time. Would they fine him at higher price! Jamala performance and her song didn’t impress me nor the the ass of that man but it was so funny lol lol lol

Andrea
Andrea
6 years ago

And here I thought Colombian justice was lenient! He should be rotting in jail for being a vandal.

That Greek Girl
That Greek Girl
6 years ago

That was such a bad joke. I think that 248€ are very few for what happened. I mean, not only did he show disrespect to Jamala but he also hurt Australia’s reputation in the contest. I think that he should apologize publicly and clear the fact that Australia had nothing to do with that salty joke. And, of course, pay a bigger fine cause that wasn’t just a joke. It was unacceptable.

Kai
Kai
6 years ago

284euros is quite aboce the minimum wage in Ukraine

Kai
Kai
6 years ago
Reply to  Kai

above*

Kai
Kai
6 years ago
Reply to  Kai

above*

That Greek Girl
That Greek Girl
6 years ago
Reply to  Kai

Wait really? I didn’t know that. But still, I think he should pay more. What he did was ridiculous, imagine how Jamala must have felt.

Soy
Soy
6 years ago

I’m just wondering how he thinks showing buttcheeks are a work of art..

Nick
Nick
6 years ago

Plot twist: this man didn’t hurt australia’s televoting result, instead he was the reason isaah even got these 2 points.
Seriously this is like blaming ukraine’s result on the organisation of the shows.
I don’t get why people even think this could be a reason…
Also this all happened almost at the end of the voting and many people like me had a toilet break and missed that guy’s moment.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

This was Jamala’s chance to show the world that she wasn’t just that sad ‘1944’ lady and that there’s a fun side to her as well but this clown just ruined that!

The nerve of him to defend his ass stunt as ‘art’ and bring Australia’s reputation down with him smh

PaDim
PaDim
6 years ago

My opinion: nice pair of buttcheeks.

Magpie
Magpie
6 years ago

“On May 13 Vitalii stormed the stage wearing an Australian flag, prompting social media users to throw shade on the “Aussie” visitor and leading one Australian journalist to express his dismay on behalf of Australian fans during Salvador Sobral’s press conference afterwards.”

This alone should have attracted a much harsher sentence.

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

Who knows? Maybe this incident could cause Australia to withdraw from the Eurovision family of events FOREVER!!!

Aaron
Aaron
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

no

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Unfortunately for you, Australia is here to stay!!!

Frisian ESC (jr)
Frisian ESC (jr)
6 years ago

That’s lower than the fine you get in the netherlands for unnecessary hunking your car horn…

Fusedmarc is the real winner
Fusedmarc is the real winner
6 years ago

Well, not bad, a bit low in my opinion but better than five years in prison.

Bêta X
Bêta X
6 years ago

This guy truly is a big asshole ! Sorry for the word, but it’s true ! It’s his fault if Isaiah didn’t get more points from televoters this year ! When this Vitalii has shown his ass during Jamala’s performance I didn’t wanna vote for Australia because I thought he was an aussie, and I was ashamed of Australia ! And I regret it, there’s no excuses for what that stupid guy did. To give him a fine won’t stop him, he’ll continue to disturb and to piss people off 🙁

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago
Reply to  Bêta X

Well, people disturbing other people, people rebelling against something or someone, or showing their ass to protest, to say they don’t agree or just because they want to get on your nerves, is actually what is called freedom. You can’t have a world with only people that behave the way you want or the way society wants them to behave, it doesn’t work like that except in North Korea and other dictatorships. Some people are fed up with Australians being in Eurovision, they have the right to say it, don’t they? Yes, he has been disrespectful, and he shocked some… Read more »

Daniel 2018
Daniel 2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Twisted French

Soon China will be in Eurovision because they put a lot of effort to send big press delegation, and Israel is not in Europe, why blame Australia that has no neighbors? Australians are real fans and started with baby steps this journey to be accepted in Eurovision. I wonder if it were Israel flag instead of Australian???…Israel and Australia are in the same situation, just imagine protesting against Israel being in Eurovision…some people are ”more equal” than others.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel 2018

Hmmm it’s a bit different because Israel is a member of EBU. Australia pays its ticket another way. Actually I don’t care if Australia takes part, it’s deserved. If he has worn the Israeli flag he would have has Israel after his back and the Jewish community. That doesn’t mean he would have gone to jail. And it doesn’t mean he should. Man if you want people to react the same, say the same, never rebel, say yes to everything and stay in line their whole life no matter what, organize Eurovision in North Korea or China. But it’s Europe… Read more »

Magistr
Magistr
6 years ago

When Serdiiuk appeared on stage, almost 80% of televote had passed… even if Australia got their 2 points during this 80% of time, and even if viewers stopped to vote immediately after he appeared on stage, this mean without mr. Serdiiuk Australia could got not more than 3 points.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Australia should be grateful they got any televote points at all, which is not a given when you come in 15th place (1 point from 17th) in the semi televote. Only 12th in the Swedish televote means something went terribly wrong, and I can’t imagine a naked butt being the culprit.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Think it was Isaiah’s note crack at the semis. Left a bitter lasting impression to the viewers plus the fact that some others countries who hit the right notes didn’t pass would’ve got some fans mad aswl

Little Finger
Little Finger
6 years ago

He will keep doing that until somebody has a heart attack because of him. In a world of political correctness, where one can risk prison for words (John Galliano), I’m surprised that pranks are not taken seriously.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago
Reply to  Little Finger

That’s a whole different story. Other circumstances. Other polemic. Discrimation and words of hate are way different than showing your ass on public. Btw Galliano didn’t go to prison and never will. He’s American and he has this anti Semite words in France. You don’t go to prison for words, either in the US or France. That doesn’t exist. You can be fined, boycotted, get a sentence but you never go to jail for words.

Little Finger
Little Finger
6 years ago
Reply to  Twisted French

6 months in prison risked Galliano.
In this ”ass” case, it’s not about puritanism, it’s about the fear Jamala must have felt. She didn’t knew that he only wanted to show his ass, she knew that her country is at war and she won with political song.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago
Reply to  Little Finger

Risk of up to 6 months. The article doesn’t say where the trial is held but it’s whether in France or in the US. In these both countries, absolutely no one goes to prison for words. Whatever you can say, even the worst things. He will be fined that’s all. Up to 6 monthsThat’s the law, the frame. Nobody goes to jail for that. And nobody goes to jail for showing his ass either. If she’s been scared or not, doesn’t matter much. He didn’t attack her. Didnt even touch her. That’s not violence. Just being disrespectful. But she’s a… Read more »

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago
Reply to  Qoojuice

So he’s British, not American. Sorry about that I’m not much interested in him. But anyway he doesn’t risk anything, just to be boycotted and have his public image destroyed. That’s pretty much it. He’ll never go to jail. And to be honest, this Serdiuuk will never go either. The world has bigger issues to deal with than a naked ass. Judges and lawyers too.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

Oh come on that’s far enough. He showed his ass, it’s not that shocking. He has something to say obviously. It’s not like we all haven’t seen a pair of cheeks in our lives. Ok it was disrespectful. Yes of course. But you can’t silent voices. Or asses. I think you can see way more shocking everyday in every street of our modern cities. Not the end of the world. He’s been fined, that’s it. Next!

Greenman
Greenman
6 years ago

Vitalii is the real winner!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Greenman

He’s lucky. I assume he has the money, yes? I thought they were would throw him in jail for the rest of this year for crashing this contest, which was already battered and bruised beforehand.

rtghf
rtghf
6 years ago

That’s nothing for him! he’s rich!
He should stay in the prison, if it was an ordinary guy they would give him 3 years in prison.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I really doubt that the incident was the cause of Australia’s failure with the televoting.
Another thing… Why did the camera followed him instead of being focused on Jamala?
Sorry, I feel controversial today.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Follow*

Matt
Matt
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

I just watched that portion again, and I’m pretty sure that the camera didn’t alter what it was originally going to do after he appeared. If it did, it was pretty minimal.

I think it might have affected the voting, but if it did, it was pretty minimal as Australia also received many more jury votes than televotes during the semi-final (albeit not as large a margin as in the final).

HarpyDarper
HarpyDarper
6 years ago

What’s the story with him and Will Smith? Didn’t he try to kiss him?

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  HarpyDarper

He was attempting to interview Will Smith when he tried to kiss him. I guess he got disturbed by the notion (which was kinda of creepy) that he got slapped and yelled at him.

Also that this was happening in Moscow (Men In Black 3 premiere in 2012).