Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — A Russian court on Monday opened the trial of a theater director and a playwright accused of advocating terrorism in a play, the latest step in an unrelenting crackdown on dissent in Russia that has reached new heights since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.
Zhenya Berkovich, a prominent independent theater director, and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk have been jailed for over a year. Authorities claim their play “Finist, the Brave Falcon” justifies terrorism, which is a criminal offense in Russia punishable by up to seven years in prison. Berkovich and Petriychuk have both repeatedly rejected the accusations against them.
Berkovich told the court on Monday that she staged the play in order to prevent terrorism, and Petriychuk echoed her sentiment, saying that she wrote it in order to prevent events like those depicted in the play.
Related articles
Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
Red Lobster, the casual dining chain that brought seafood to the masses with inventions like popcorn2024-05-21Xi Congratulates and Encourages Teachers and Students of Macau University of Science and Technology
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-21Peng Liyuan Meets with DRC's First Lady
Contact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom2024-05-21- Visitors take photos at the rose resort in Junzhuangzi village, Shandong province. [Photo provided t2024-05-21
Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
Giovanni Pernice has been dealt a fresh blow after friend and former Strictly dance partner Rose Ayl2024-05-21Flowers make rural economy blossom
A drone photo shows a cherry blossom garden in a village in Pingyao town, Zhejiang province, on Marc2024-05-21
atest comment