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. |
5 Chinese nationals, 1 Pakistani killed in terrorist attack in NW PakistanExplore the delights of Chengdu People's Park with RongbaoChina's State Council to revise, repeal administrative regulationsDPP obstruction to mainland products unpopular: SpokespersonUkrainian special services involved in concert hall terror attack: FSB chiefGang violence takes toll on Haiti health facilities: UNU.S. quietly signs off more bombs, fighter jets for Israel: U.S. mediaXinjiang diverts floodwater to revive forests impacted by droughtChinese heritage attracts Universiade athletes in ChengduParis prepares for 100