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
Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
Justin Timberlake is set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia next year.Daily Ma2024-05-21Campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri gets help from mascots to haul voter signatures
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,2024-05-21- Vanessa Bryant posted a heartbreaking message for her late daughter, Gigi, on what would have been h2024-05-21
China's ecological environment improves steadily in Q1
BEIJING, April 28 (Xinhua) -- China saw its air and water quality steadily improve in the first quar2024-05-21California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
A congressman who represents California’s north coast has sent a letter to federal regulators asking2024-05-21Campaign to legalize sports betting in Missouri gets help from mascots to haul voter signatures
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri’s professional sports teams on Thursday turned in more than 340,2024-05-21
atest comment