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.
Messi in and Dybala out in Argentina squad for pre
Feelings mixed over delivery rule change
Vessels made in Fujian take semisubmersible ride to boost BRI ties
Online outlets prove boon for smaller retailers
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
Discount retailers making mark among price
China unveils plan to promote trade
Book on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy Published
OpenAI pauses ChatGPT voice after Scarlett Johansson comparisons
13th National Women's Congress Opens in Beijing