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.
Kristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her age
Xi's Speech at Welcome Dinner by U.S. Friendly Organizations Published
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
Ethnic minority students participated in a fun campus game to welcome the Asian Games
Xi Urges Ceasefire in Gaza, Stresses Two
Xi Pledges to Work with Milei for Sound Development of China
The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro
Spring Festival holiday sees 474 million domestic tourist trips in China
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Xi Sends Congratulatory Letter to 2023 Imperial Springs Int'l Forum