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
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Kevin Pillar tucked a keepsake ball into his bag from his 1,000th career hit2024-05-215 workers dead, 49 still missing after a building under construction collapsed in South Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — Rescue teams worked through the night searching for dozens of constru2024-05-21- OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two young MVP finalists will square off when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and No. 12024-05-21
DeLuca stays hot with homer and 4 RBIs as Rays beat Clevinger and White Sox 8
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Jonny DeLuca continued his hot stretch with a homer and four RBIs, and t2024-05-21NBA playoffs: Edwards leads Wolves to 98
DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards overcame a slow start and the Timberwolves roared back from a 20-point2024-05-21Hugh Jackman's kids 'worried' about the actor after his split from Deborra
Hugh Jackman is finding solace in his grown-up children, Ava and Oscar, following his split from wif2024-05-21
atest comment