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.
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Scenery of azalea blossoms in Zhalantun City, N China
Xi Focus: Xi Urges Modernization of Industrial System, High
An Overview of Xi's Diplomacy in Spring 2023
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Scenic spots in ice cream competition to attract tourists
View of paddy fields in Guiyang, SW China's Guizhou
Nature themed 3D pavement paintings displayed in Chongqing
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Beijing launches 22 tourist routes for ice and snow activities