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
This Morning's Alison Hammond cosies up to mystery man as pals claim she's 'never been happier'
China to enhance coordination with Arab League: Chinese FM
A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it
Chinese vice president meets Cambodian King, Queen Mother
Inside the lab where volunteers are paid £14,000 to lie upside down for 60 days NON
Xi meets National Assembly of Vietnam chairman, urges strong sense of community with shared future
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk
China launches new relay satellite for Earth