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.
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
Messi in starting lineup for Inter Miami's match against DC United
Death toll from south Brazil's climate disaster hits 151
Slisz's first career goal helps Atlanta United earn 1
Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
Timeline lays out the abuse allegations against Sean 'Diddy' Combs
Gaza: US, international volunteer doctors trapped in hospital by Israeli assault
Putin: Join hands for future success of Russia
Election 2024: Biden and Trump bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates
China supports punishing serious int'l crimes to maintain peace, security
Candice Swanepoel stuns in a form
Pakistan asks its nationals studying in Kyrgyzstan to stay indoors after mobs attacked foreigners