Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Time:2024-05-21 07:11:21 Source:healthViews(143)
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.
You may also like
- The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
- Kremer pitches 6 shutout innings and Santander hits a grand slam to help Orioles sweep Reds
- Met Gala 2024: Theme, guest lists and how the stream. All you need to know
- Revealed: The mind
- Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
- Bruins avoid blowing another 3
- ANDREW PIERCE: George Galloway has 'Red Queen' Angela Rayner in his sights
- Heim homers in the 9th and Lowe hits an RBI single in the 10th to lead Rangers past Royals 3
- The fightback begins: Boss of London's Queen Mary University tells pro