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. |
David and Victoria Beckham braced for release of latest tellMarquette hires Cara Consuegra away from Charlotte to replace Megan DuffyFans hail new drama miniseries as a 'masterclass in acting' and demand star is given an EmmyNFL draft sees trend of fewer early entrants since NIL policy changeUber is helping investigators look into account that sent driver to Ohio home where she was killedDoes China import zero soybeans from Paraguay? — Radio Free AsiaCharges dropped against suspect in 2016 cold case slaying of Tulane graduateCoffee in North Korea: It’s not just for capitalists anymore — Radio Free AsiaScottie Scheffler had a quick Masters celebration. Now, it's time to get back to workBiden endorses House aid package for Israel, Ukraine