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
Pentagon 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 to2024-05-21Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi leaving the club after United game
BRIGHTON, England (AP) — Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club on Sunday after the t2024-05-21Man charged in random attack on Steve Buscemi in NYC
NEW YORK (AP) — A man wanted in connection with the random attack on actor Steve Buscemi on a New Yo2024-05-21Chinese president appoints new ambassadors
Chinese President Xi Jinping has appointed the following ambassadors in accordance with a decision f2024-05-21I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
I need your help. My friend K has been recently telling our friendship group about how dire his fina2024-05-21Munich airport closes after climate activists glue selves in protest
BERLIN (AP) — German authorities closed down Munich airport temporarily on Saturday after six climat2024-05-21
atest comment