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. |
Ethiopia says ready to play constructive role as new BRICS memberForeign enterprises eye bright prospects in Chinese market14 dead in road accident in IndiaRoman Josi's 2 goals and 2 assists lead Predators over Blue Jackets 6Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 20,915: ministryPaintsil, Fagúndez spark Galaxy to 3Two people die in south India amid heavy rains ahead of cyclone MichaungChina bolsters online consumer protection with new regulationsDubois, Roy end long goal droughts to propel Kings to 3NE China ports handle record high China