A military court in Moscow has found Russian director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petrichuk guilty of “justifying terrorism,” sentencing each to six years in prison for their play, “The Brave Falcon Finist.”
The play, which is loosely based on real events, narrates the story of Russian women traveling to Syria during the civil war to marry Islamic State members.
Berkovich and Petrichuk, who have been detained since May 2023, will now serve their sentences in a penal colony. Additionally, they are banned from “administering websites” for three years post-release.
Their defense lawyer has vowed to appeal the verdict, although she admitted there is “little hope.”
The trial, partially held behind closed doors, has alarmed the Russian artistic community, raising concerns about freedom of expression.
Prosecutor Yekaterina Denisova argued that the play contained “signs of justification of terrorism,” claiming that it formed a positive view of IS. However, both women asserted that their intention was to oppose terrorism.
Berkovich emphasized that the play aimed to “prevent terrorism,” and expressed her “condemnation and disgust” for terrorists, stressing she had “nothing but condemnation and disgust” for terrorists.
Defense lawyer Ksenia Karpinskaya condemned the hearing as “absolutely illegal” and “unfair,” asserting the innocence of both women.
Supporters of Berkovich, including notable figures like newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov and actress Yulia Peresild, have suggested that her prosecution may be connected to poems she wrote criticizing Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia’s artistic community has faced mounting pressure from the Kremlin.
“The Brave Falcon Finist,” which premiered in 2020, received acclaim, winning two Golden Mask Theatre Awards for best playwright and best costumes.
In light of the recent sentencing, Berkovich’s supporters remain vocal, with calls for justice and appeals against the verdict.
Russia has experienced deadly attacks by Islamist militants in Moscow and Dagestan in recent months, with the Kremlin suggesting, without substantiation, that Ukraine may have been involved.
Source-BBC
