Russia gives a playwright and director a six-year sentence for “justifying terrorism”

A trial that rights activists had claimed illustrated Russia’s intolerance of artistic freedom resulted in the author and theater director receiving six-year prison sentences on Monday for “justifying terrorism.”

A play called “Finest, the Brave Falcon” about Russian women who marry Islamic State fighters was being produced by director Zhenya Berkovich, 39, and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, 44, when they were arrested in May of last year.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, this was the most well-known trial of Russian artistic personalities due to the substance of their artwork. Each denied any culpability.

Proponents of free speech and the Russian creative world denounced the seven-week trial, accusing it of political motivation.

Judge Yuri Massin granted the prosecution’s motion to keep the trial private in the middle of it because of perceived threats to some participants.

Kseniya Karpinskaya, the defense attorney, vowed to challenge both the judgment and the sentence.

In a video clip shared on social media, she said to supporters outside the court, “We will, of course, appeal this ruling, although we have little hope.”

However, I must inform you that they are completely innocent. During the closed session, nothing new was presented.”

When Berkovich and Petriychuk’s trial began in late May, they stated that they created the performance because they are against, not in favor of, terrorism.

Berkovich told the court, “I staged the performance to prevent terrorism.” “I have nothing but condemnation and disgust” in reference to terrorists.