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. |
China home to 369 unicorn enterprises: ReportThe Kentucky Derby in the words of the winners, from Smith to EspinozaChina's trade with other BRICS members up 11.3 pct in Q1Chinese projects in Philippines yield tangible results, benefit localsAlabama lawmakers approve legislation to ensure President Biden is on the November ballotHamas says to halt Gaza ceasefire negotiations if Israel attacks RafahUS stocks close mixed as traders digest Fed chair's messageIran reiterates commitment to IAEA cooperationRussia is violating UN limits on petroleum shipments to North Korea, the White House saysRicky Stenhouse Jr. signs multiyear extension with JTG Daugherty Racing for NASCAR Cup Series