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. |
Death toll in airstrikes on E. Syria rises to 15AU officials laud China's support to promote health in AfricaChina's tiger and leopard park sees over 35 cubs born in past yearShooting leaves 3 dead, including shooter, in US Las VegasZendaya sports a white towel mini dress as she debuts another tennis4 dead, 97 injured in 7.3Chinese courts highlight child protection during divorce trialsChina urges Philippines to stop provocations in South China SeaLate Queen 'loved it when things went wrong because it spiced up her life', former aide claimsIranian FM opens new consulate in Damascus following Israeli strike