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. |
Baby Reindeer's realAdams, Reyna, Turner, Ream are US concerns ahead of Copa AmericaTravis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor SwiftTarget to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflationBrazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squadRussian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorismA warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue itSweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worldsOhio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban standsEverybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle