Brussels 09.07.2024 Russian court sentenced the director Zhenya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, to six years in prison for “justifying terrorism” through their award-winning theatre play “Finist, the Brave Falcon”, which actually speaks against terrorism.

“This sentence is absurd – as if Dostoyevsky were responsible of a murder by Raskolnikov” reads the statement issued by the EU diplomacy – EEAS -, while reacting on persecution of Russian figures from culture and arts.

“The decision further illustrates the increasing state control over cultural institutions and Russian authorities’ attempt to curtail fundamental freedoms. This is yet another confirmation of Russia’s descent into unbound authoritarianism under Putin.

“Artists have the right to freedom of artistic expression. As a state party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Russia has an obligation to respect the freedom indispensable for creative activity.

“The EU stands in solidarity with all those Russians who have dared to raise their voice and criticise Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and who have been detained, prosecuted or imprisoned for this”.

The performance was staged based on Petriychuk’s play back in 2020, and in 2022 it received two highest state theater awards, “Golden Mask” for “Best Work by a Playwright” and “Best Work by a Costume Designer.” The main characters of the play are women who decided to virtually marry radical Islamists and go to join them in Syria.

State prosecutor Ekaterina Denisova requested punishment under Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation – “Public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism” – in the form of imprisonment for a term of 6 years, to be served in a general regime correctional colony with deprivation of the right to engage in activities, related to the administration of websites of electronic and information and telecommunication networks, including the Internet, for a period of 4 years. Judge Yuri Massin satisfied this decision.

The second expert opinion of the case was carried out by FSB expert Svetlana Mochalova. According to her, the play romanticizes the image of terrorists and reveals discrimination against Russian men.