Zhenya Berkovich, the director and Svetlana Petriychuk, the author of the play Finist, the Brave Falcon performed in Moscow were arrested on Thursday May 4 according to the human rights NGO OVD-Info on Telegram. This is the reason for apologizing for terrorism that was used against the two artists according to AP.
A petition entitled “Pursue the murderers rather than the artists” signed by more than 2,800 people (in five hours Friday May 5) calls for the release of the two women according to Novaya Gazeta Europe. “We oppose the lies of the persecution: the work of director Evgenia (Zhenya) Berkovich and author Svetlana Petriychuk does not glorify terrorism. The play Finist, the Brave Falcon and its staging clearly deliver an anti-terrorist message. »
According to Zhenya Berkovich’s mother, her apartment in St. Petersburg was raided. Police also reportedly searched the home of his 88-year-old grandmother Nina Katerli, an artist herself. “I don’t see how the search in my house is related to the play performed in Moscow. My granddaughter lives there and rarely comes to see me,” she told the Fontanka website.
The play takes the form of a documentary telling the story of a Russian woman “who virtually marries a radical Muslim and goes to Syria”. The work was first performed in December 2020. It was awarded two Golden Masks in 2022, one of the most prestigious Russian awards for best theatrical work and best costume design.
In Russia the apology of terrorism is considered a crime. The penalty can be up to seven years in prison.
