A Russian director and playwright. Each received a six
year prison sentence on Monday for justifying terrorism rights.
Campaigners have said the trial demonstrated Russia's intolerance of artistic
freedom. Director Zia Berkovich and playwrights, Vet Lana
Petrik were arrested in May of 2023 over their production
of a play about Russian women who marry Islamic state
fighters at the start of the trial in late May
, the women said they had staged the play because
they opposed terrorism rather than support it. The seven
week trial was the most prominent prosecution of Russian cultural
figures over their content. Since Moscow sent troops to
Ukraine in 2022 both women denied guilt as a police
truck left court. People chanted the women's names.
Of course, we will appeal this verdict. Although
there is little hope. Defense lawyer, Kenya Karpinsky
told supporters.