Russian Artist Petr Pavlensky Faces Charges in France for Damaging Property

What was praised as a protest against the Kremlin by Western media has now landed the controversial performance artist in a mental hospital in France.

The French authorities have filed criminal charges against artist Petr Pavlensky after he set fire to the Banque de France in Paris as a part of his artistic performance. The artist was granted refuge in the country after becoming famous for setting  Russia’s Security Service building in Moscow on fire.

Petr Pavlensky is accused of the destruction of property. According to media reports, he is currently in a mental hospital.

Russian artist Petr Pavlensky poses in front of a Banque de France building after setting fire to the window gates as part of a performance in Paris

© AP Photo / Capucine Henry

Pavlensky gas gained international popularity following the string of performances in Russia. At the time when the so-called "protest" artist set fire to the FSB building in Moscow, calling it a performance, he was praised by the Western media, with the New Yorker proclaiming him an activist protesting against "Putin's political crackdown."