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.
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
Alana Lister doesn't look like this anymore! MAFS star is unrecognisable in wild Coachella outfit
Lucy Boynton turns heads in two eye
Company believes it found sunken barge in Ohio River near Pittsburgh, one of 26 that got loose
Independent UN experts urge Yemen’s Houthis to free detained Baha'i followers
China ready to work with neighboring countries to expand convergence of interests: spokesperson
Ukrainian president, senior NATO official meet on support for Kiev
South Africa's former president Zuma survives road crash
Trump accepts a VP debate but wants it on Fox News. Harris has already said yes to CBS
Weedkiller manufacturer seeks lawmakers' help to squelch claims it failed to warn about cancer
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
The US ambassador to Japan says boosting arms industry ties is key to a stronger security alliance