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.
Biden says Brown v. Board of Education ruling was about more than education
ABC managing director David Anderson faces Senate questions on Lattouf case, Gaza coverage
Commentary: What is behind the China shock concoction
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
New air route links Changsha, Mongolia
WHO says Gaza's Nasser hospital not functional after Israel raids
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Abuse of force only makes bigger crises