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.
Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf is spotted on the streets of Gavin and Stacey's hometown Barry
Queen Letizia and King Felipe arrive at funeral of Fernando Gomez
Lucas Tindall has inherited distinct expression from father Mike as these photos show..
Snap! How toned Pippa Middleton matches her bikinis with her designer wardrobe
Princess Beatrice and Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are all smiles as they join his mother
KEIR STARMER: My commitment to the UK's nuclear deterrent is... Unshakeable. Absolute. Total
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia
Auckland trains on eastern and southern lines suspended
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
'Influencer' pup living in the lap of luxury travels the world in five