Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Time:2024-05-21 10:44:46 Source:opinionsViews(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.
Previous:Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Next:Insider Q&A: CIA's chief technologist's cautious embrace of generative AI
You may also like
- Ricky Stenhouse punching Kyle Busch could lead to suspension
- Man City on verge of Premier League title as Haaland scores twice in 2
- Texas university leaders say hundreds of positions, programs cut to comply with DEI ban
- Giants' Jung Hoo Lee has structural damage in injured left shoulder, will seek second opinion
- Election 2024: Biden and Trump bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates
- Delhi stays alive for IPL playoffs with 19
- Sheriff faces questions from Arkansas lawmakers over Netflix series filmed at county jail
- Final Preakness at Pimlico before rebuilding stirs nostalgia mixed with relief for needed fixes
- Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri