A German Sculptor is Being Tried in Moscow - Insulting Putin as Supreme Commander 0 12

A court proceeding has begun in Moscow against German sculptor and carnival artist Jacques Tilly. Russian authorities accuse the creative figure of "discrediting" the Russian army. During the session on Thursday, February 26, Judge Konstantin Ochirov listened for almost an hour as the prosecutor read out witness and expert testimonies, as well as the results of investigations regarding the charges against Tilly.

The criminal case was initiated due to carnival floats created by Tilly for the carnival in Düsseldorf. In his works, the artist has repeatedly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin and the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine. One of Tilly's most famous works, which was widely covered in the media, features a figure of Putin in a bloody bathtub painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.

According to the prosecution, the sculptor spread fakes about the Russian army, as his works allegedly insult Putin as the supreme commander. The first court session was expected back in late December 2025, but it was postponed to January 28 and then to February 26. In the event of a guilty verdict, Tilly could face a fine or imprisonment for up to ten years.

During the session, participants described Tilly's 2024 carnival float featuring figures of Putin and Patriarch Kirill depicted during homosexual oral sex. Additionally, essentially identical statements from three female witnesses, who identified themselves as believing Christians and claimed their religious feelings were offended, were read out, according to the dpa agency.

The carnival in Düsseldorf - a float with a figure of Vladimir Putin in a bloody bathtub painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. The carnival in Düsseldorf - a float with a figure of Vladimir Putin in a bloody bathtub painted in the colors of the Ukrainian flag. A float featuring Putin at the carnival in Düsseldorf in 2023. Photo: Hans-Juergen Bauer/epd/picture alliance

Jacques Tilly: The Goal of the Russian Authorities is Intimidation

The artist himself remains demonstratively calm about the process. In an interview with German media, he stated that the criminal case would not affect his work. As Tilly emphasized, the jester's duty has always been to create a stir once a year. "And, of course, we will continue to do that," the artist told the WDR channel. "It would be ridiculous if we were to cower now."

He added that intimidation could have been the goal of those who initiated the legal proceedings. Tilly does not attend the sessions in person and, according to him, has not received any official notifications from Russia. Earlier in an interview with DW, Tilly noted that he does not intend to hire a lawyer, as he does not want to give significance to this trial.

The sculptor describes the Russian justice system as a "black box" and says he does not understand "how a mock legal process functions in a lawless state." He considers all the accusations absurd. "I think Russia has gone mad. In my opinion, this is a farce. The accusations are simply ridiculous," Tilly stated in a conversation with DW.

Court in Russia and Potential Risks for Tilly

The artist admits that in the long term, the case could have consequences, for example, when traveling to countries with extradition agreements. He also does not rule out political risks in the future if, as he puts it, "Russia's friends from the AfD (the far-right party 'Alternative for Germany') come to power one day."

Despite the trial in Moscow, this year at the carnival in Düsseldorf, floats from Tilly's workshop once again appeared. Three of them were dedicated to satire on Vladimir Putin.

Jacques Tilly is the author of satirical carnival floats, primarily for the parade in Düsseldorf during the so-called "Crazy Monday." His works regularly attract international attention, and figures dedicated to Putin and other world leaders have repeatedly been featured on the front pages of German and global media.