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
Student fatally shot, suspect detained at Georgia's Kennesaw State University
ATLANTA (AP) — Officials at Georgia’s Kennesaw State University say a student was killed in a weeken2024-05-21Biden 'decides' reply to deadly attack in Jordan
The United States said on Tuesday it is likely to take multiple actions in retaliation to the drone2024-05-21Qinwang tunnel successfully drilled through in E China
This photo taken on Oct. 24, 2022 shows the shield tunneling machine "Fuchun" at the construction si2024-05-21Market for African Performing Arts of Abidjan held in Cote d'Ivoire
Dancers perform at the opening of the Market for African Performing Arts of Abidjan, a cultural even2024-05-21Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Six people were killed and dozens arrested following attacks on the residence2024-05-21Bolivia urges UN to facilitate peace in Middle East
LA PAZ, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian President Luis Arce on Sunday called on the United Nations to2024-05-21
atest comment