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.
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
Wang Shun qualifies for Paris Olympics
Met police arrest Gaza protesters for racism and hate banner comparing Israel to the Nazis
The Buccaneers are confident they addressed needs at five positions in the NFL draft
'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
Now Europe copies Rishi on Rwanda: Slap in the face for self
Sam Cam in fresh row over her 'shocking' refusal to make her clothes in Britain
Devastating footage shows horrific aftermath of tornadoes that barreled through Nebraska and Iowa
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Lionel Messi gets 2 goals in front of record New England crowd as Miami beats Revolution 4