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.
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
Xinhua Headlines: A Vibrant City on Ancient Silk Road — Kashgar in the Eyes of Foreign Tourists
China Moves to Improve Grassroots Access to Basic Medical Services
China Launches National Advisory Committee for Students' Mental Health
Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
Traditional Skills Revitalized by Livestreaming in Remote Towns
Zhejiang Conference Empowers Women in Science
Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. to lead Indianapolis 500 field in Corvette pace car
First Belt and Road Conference on Science and Technology Exchange Opens in SW China's Chongqing