Russian Playwright and Director Sentenced for “Justifying Terrorism”
A Russian military court found playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, 44, and theater director Yevgenia Berkovich, 39, guilty of “justifying terrorism” and sentenced them to six years in prison each. The case has raised concerns about the crackdown on free speech in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Petriychuk and Berkovich, both respected figures in the Russian theater community, have been in custody since May 2023. In addition to the prison terms, they will be prohibited from “administering websites” for three years after their release.
The play that led to their conviction, titled “Finist the Brave Falcon,” combines a classic fairy tale with the stories of women lured into joining the Islamic State. The play sheds light on the experiences of women who were recruited by ISIS terrorists, only to face betrayal and imprisonment upon their return.
During the trial, prosecutor Ekaterina Denisova claimed that Petriychuk espoused “extremely aggressive Islamic ideologies” and sympathized with ISIS, while Berkovich was accused of promoting terrorism through her ideological beliefs. The defendants and their legal representatives maintained that the play carried an anti-terrorism message and denied the accusations.
Berkovich stated, “I have never supported radical Islam or terrorism. I respect the religion of Islam and condemn terrorist acts.”
