Russian Playwright and Director Found Guilty of “Justifying Terrorism” in Moscow
In a shocking turn of events, Russian playwright Svetlana Petrichuk and theatre director Yevgenia Berkovich have been sentenced to six years each for the production of their play The Brave Falcon Finist. The military court in Moscow found them guilty of “justifying terrorism” in a case that has sparked outrage among the country’s artistic community.
The play, loosely based on true events, tells the story of Russian women who travelled to Syria to marry members of the Islamic State group during the country’s civil war. Despite their claims that the play was meant to oppose terrorism, the prosecution argued that it contained “signs of justification of terrorism.”
The trial, held partly behind closed doors, has raised concerns about freedom of expression in Russia. In addition to their jail sentences, both women will be banned from “administering websites” for three years after their release. They have been in custody since May 2023 and will now be sent to a penal colony to serve their sentences.
Throughout the trial, Berkovich and Petrichuk maintained their innocence, with their defense lawyer vowing to appeal against the verdict. Supporters of Berkovich have suggested that her prosecution may be linked to her criticism of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
The artistic community in Russia has faced increasing pressure from the Kremlin since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Several high-profile artists, writers, and journalists have come out in support of Berkovich and Petrichuk, denouncing the verdict as unfair and illegal.
The play, which premiered in 2020 and won two Golden Mask Theatre Awards, has now become a symbol of the ongoing crackdown on artistic freedom in Russia. As the country grapples with deadly attacks by Islamist militants, the Kremlin has made unsubstantiated claims linking Ukraine to the incidents.
Despite the grim outcome of the trial, supporters of Berkovich and Petrichuk remain hopeful that justice will prevail in the end. The defense lawyer has vowed to continue fighting for the women’s innocence, even in the face of daunting odds.
