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
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal by a Canadian-born former Guantanam2024-05-21Wayne Rooney reveals why he isn't appearing on Match of the Day as planned this weekend... as the ex
Wayne Rooney has revealed why he hasn't appeared on Match of the Day as planned this weekend. The 382024-05-21GLEN OWEN: The honeytrap MP... and the Godfather
Boris Johnson’s favourite film scene is the ‘multiple retribution’ at the end of The Godfather, when2024-05-21Construction worker turned piano sensation meets his idol
By Zhao Ruinan (Chinadaily.com.cn) 08:59, February 02, 2024World-renowned pianist Lang Lang shakes h2024-05-21Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin committed Monday to keeping U.S. weapons moving to2024-05-21Tory rebels urge Rishi Sunak to ditch controversial smoking ban plan and other 'fundamentally un
Rishi Sunak is facing his 'moment of maximum danger' ahead of a series of key Commons votes, Tory re2024-05-21
atest comment