Zamoskvoretski District Court judge Larisa Semyonova has granted an extension to the arrest term of director Zhenya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk until March 10. The pair is facing accusations of justifying terrorism due to their play Finist the Bright Falcon. Berkovich and Petriychuk have been in pre-trial detention since May 2023.
During the court session on January 9, Berkovich and Petriychuk had the opportunity to address the judge, with Berkovich choosing to do so in verse. Mediazona has obtained the text of his speech, which has now been translated in full by Meduza in English.
Berkovich began his address by referencing the lengthy period of time that he and Petriychuk have been detained, highlighting their extended imprisonment and the repeated discussions in court regarding their custody arrangement.
The director expressed his fascination with a particular phrase that has consistently been used to justify keeping them in custody: the court sees no reason to change the custody arrangement, because the circumstances under which it was chosen have not changed.
It is noteworthy that Berkovich and Petriychuk have been in prison for most of the time since their criminal case was initiated, making this their eighth appearance in court, including the appeals process.
The translated speech sheds light on the frustration and confusion felt by director Zhenya Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk as they continue to face extended detention without proof of their alleged involvement in justifying terrorism.
The court’s decision to extend their arrest further fuels the debate surrounding their case, as supporters argue for their release while questioning the basis on which they are being held.
The trial has attracted attention from various media outlets and organizations concerned with freedom of speech and artistic expression. The play Finist the Bright Falcon has become a symbol of the ongoing struggle between creative liberty and state control in Russia.
It remains to be seen how the case will develop, as Berkovich and Petriychuk’s legal team continues to defend their innocence and push for their release. As public interest grows, the outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the future of artistic freedom and free speech within the country.
