Family sues after Belarusian throws child at Sheremetyevo
The family of the child whom 31-year-old Belarusian citizen Vladimir Vitikov threw to the floor at Sheremetyevo Airport has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation for moral damages. The father of the injured toddler, Mohammad Shahim, told MSK1.RU.
At Sheremetyevo Airport on 23 June 2025, a passenger who had arrived in Moscow from Cairo grabbed the two-year-old boy in the baggage claim area and, from his full height, threw him to the floor. The boy suffered severe injuries, including a skull fracture, and was in a coma for a long time.
«If we manage to recover the money, we will spend it on the child’s treatment. Our son is constantly crying, holding his head and showing that his eyes hurt — especially the right one, because the blow landed on that side. He walks but no longer plays or eats properly. In March he will have an MRI, and the doctors will tell us what to do next and how to treat him,» Mohammad shared with MSK1.RU.
«My wife is constantly crying. I want to take her and the children somewhere for two or three months so they can get a distraction. This is all very difficult. The child has problems with his skull bones. He has a hard time eating solid food now; chewing is difficult,» the father told MSK1.RU.
On 4 February, hearings on the merits of the criminal case began at the Khimki City Court. They are being held behind closed doors. Under the article on attempted murder committed while under the influence of drugs, Vladimir Vitikov faces up to 15 years in prison. However, the Belarusian may avoid this: examinations ordered by the Investigative Committee (SK) showed that he may not have been aware of his actions. The prosecution has requested that the man be sent for forced psychiatric treatment.
«He claims, «I don’t remember anything and I don’t understand,» and at the same time he apologizes. But that won’t bring my son’s health back. It’s very convenient: do something and then say you weren’t responsible for yourself,» he fumes in conversation with MSK1.RU.
The verdict in Vitikov’s case will be announced on 5 February. Earlier we reported what is known about the man and how the first hearing after his arrest went. All known information about the attack on the child at Sheremetyevo is collected in a separate story.
