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
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Fast-moving storms with strong winds, large hail and apparent tornadoes swept O2024-05-21Brazilian dance craze created by young people declared cultural heritage
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — It all started with nifty leg movements, strong steps backwards and forwards,2024-05-21Giants' Jung Hoo Lee has structural damage in injured left shoulder, will seek second opinion
San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee sustained structural damage in his dislocated left shou2024-05-21Wicked stepmother accused of torturing 12
A Pennsylvania woman accused of torturing her stepdaughter to death served years in prison after her2024-05-21Red Lobster seeks bankruptcy protection after closing some restaurants
Red Lobster, the casual dining chain that brought seafood to the masses with inventions like popcorn2024-05-21- BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Bolstered by the success of popular science fiction works such as "The T2024-05-21
atest comment