Theater Director and Playwright Convicted of Terrorism Charges: Latest Crackdown On Dissent in Russia

Theater Director and Playwright Convicted of Terrorism Charges: Latest Crackdown On Dissent in Russia

a Russian playwright and a theater director sentenced to prison terms based on the allegation of the glorification of terrorism

In a current case, a Russian court condemned a theater director and a playwright about terrorist allegations of six years in prison. This is part of an increasing suppression of Dissens in the country, which has achieved a new extent since the invasion of Moscow.

The director Zhenya Berkovich and the playwright Svetlana Petriychuk had been detained for over a year before the verdict was spoken. The accusation is that her piece "Final, the brave falcon" justifies terrorism, which is punishable in Russia and can be punished with up to seven years in prison. However, the two repeatedly rejected the allegations.

In a negotiation, Berkovich explained that she staged the piece to counteract terrorism, and Petriychuk expressed similar thoughts that she wrote to prevent events such as those presented in the play.

The case triggered outrage in Russia. An open letter to support the two artists, initiated by the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, was signed by more than 16,000 people. The letter argues that the piece conveys "an absolutely clear anti-terrorist attitude".

dozens of Russian actors, directors and journalists have again signed explanations to urge the court to release the two during pre -trial detention.

The case against Berkovich and Petriychuk led to broad oppression in Russia. Artists were released from state theaters, musicians were put on the black list and some received the stigma of the "foreign agent", which brings additional government attention and negative connotations. Many left Russia.

Berkovich, who has two adopted daughters, refused to leave Russia and continued her work with her independent theater production in Moscow, called Sosos daughters. Shortly after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, she organized an anti-war picnic and was detained for 11 days.

- Nag