{
  "id": 12128708,
  "title": "After overturning of rape conviction, Wah! Banana actor Lev Panfilov thanks mum, girlfriend for standing by him",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/after-overturning-of-rape-conviction-wah-banana-actor-lev-panfilov",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T09:03:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Independent Singapore",
    "slug": "the-independent-singapore",
    "url": "https://theindependent.sg/after-overturning-of-rape-conviction-wah-banana-actor-lev-panfilov-thanks-mum-girlfriend-for-standing-by-him"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Singapore-based actor and TikToker Lev Panfilov has thanked his mother and girlfriend for standing by him after his rape conviction was overturned, according to a recent Instagram post. The 25-year-old, originally from Russia, moved to Singapore as a teenager and became a permanent resident. He was convicted in March 2025 of raping a woman he met on a dating app after claiming the encounter was consensual. Initially sentenced to 11.5 years in prison, plus 12 cane strokes, Panfilov was acquitted of four charges on September 2, 2025, after spending nearly three years behind bars. In his Instagram post, he reflected on the past few years, stating that he was glad to be back and credited his mother for fighting for him and his girlfriend for standing by him. Panfilov described his life as once feeling like a \"feel-good movie,\" but it turned into a \"thriller\" when he was accused of something he did not do. He spent over five years in prison, where his mother fought for his release while his father, who lived in Russia, battled a brain tumour and was denied visits. Panfilov spent 23 hours a day in a cramped cell and found solace in books, faith, friends, comedy, and his mother's support. His mother's efforts and his own determination led to his appeal and eventual acquittal. Panfilov expressed uncertainty about his future but noted that for the first time, he gets to choose his path.",
  "summary": "SINGAPORE: No doubt about it, the past few years have been challenging for Lev Panfilov, who gave the public an inside look recently, posting on social media for the first time since March 2022. Mr Panfilov, well-known in Singapore as a TikToker and Wah! Banana actor, was born in Russia in 1996 and moved to the city-state as a teen, later becoming a Permanent Resident. He was convicted on Mar 21,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Mothership",
        "title": "Ex-Wah!Banana actor Lev Panfilov says he feels 'indifferent' towards woman who accused him of rape",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/ex-wah-banana-actor-lev-panfilov-says-he-feels-indifferent-towards",
        "published": "2026-10-04T21:33:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}