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.
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Villagers Perform Water Drum Dance in Jianhe County, SW China
Celebratory Atmosphere Ahead of 25th Anniv. of Hong Kong's Return to Motherland
Children Attend Event as 'Little Architects' Ahead of Int'l Children's Day in Xi'an
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
School in Hangzhou Greets International Tea Day
Beijing Prepares for National College Entrance Exam
Beijing Rolls out Measures to Boost Consumption
Election 2024: Biden and Trump bypassed the Commission on Presidential Debates
China to Establish National Park at Qinghai Lake
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
China's Higher Education Enrollment Rate Reaches 57.8 Pct