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.
Amtrak train hits pickup truck in upstate New York, 3 dead including child
Scenery of Xiaxi Reservoir in SW China's Guizhou
Xi's Article on Deepening Reform of Party, State Institutions to Be Published
Xi Story: Ensuring the Yellow River benefits the people
I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
Big on barbecue, Zibo's star shines
Scenery of Xiaxi Reservoir in SW China's Guizhou
Xi Story: Ensuring the Yellow River benefits the people
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
Rural area shining example of development
Company wins court ruling to continue development of Michigan factory serving EV industry
China urges U.S., Japan to stop forming anti