Maxim Lyutyi, a Russian influencer, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the death of his one-month-old son, Kosmos, whom he starved by feeding only sunlight. Lyutyi, known for his unconventional beliefs, believed that exposing his baby to sunlight would grant him superhuman abilities.
The tragic incident unfolded in Sochi when Kosmos, suffering from malnutrition and pneumonia, was rushed to the hospital but died before receiving medical attention. Lyutyi’s initial expectation of an early release based on a social media post in January was shattered as he faced a harsher sentence for ‘intentional infliction of serious bodily harm’ after pleading guilty last week.
According to reports, Kosmos was born at home as Lyutyi refused to allow the boy’s mother, Oksana Mironova, to go to a maternity hospital. Lyutyi then imposed a strict vegan ‘prana’ diet on the infant, emphasizing spiritual energy-enhancing foods like berries, aligned with beliefs in breatharianism, which advocates deriving sustenance solely from sunlight.
Mironova’s relatives expressed shock and concern, revealing that she was forced not to feed the baby as Lyutyi believed sunlight alone would nourish him. Reports suggested Lyutyi rejected traditional medical care and exposed Kosmos to cold baths in an attempt to strengthen him.
During his imprisonment, Lyutyi abandoned his extreme beliefs and began consuming meat. Mironova’s mother regretted her daughter’s involvement with Lyutyi, describing her as his “slave” and expressing sorrow that she didn’t leave him sooner.
The tragic outcome has led to a sentencing request of eight and a half years in prison and a substantial fine for Lyutyi. The case has sparked discussions about the dangers of extreme dietary beliefs and the responsibilities of influencers in promoting safe and healthy practices.
Sources By Agencies
