Prominent Russian theatre director detained in embezzlement case

Record ID: 907324

  • Title: Prominent Russian theatre director detained in embezzlement case
  • Date: 22nd August 2017
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 22, 2017) (REUTERS) INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE VAN DRIVING OUT OF YARD (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LAWYER FOR THEATRE DIRECTOR KIRILL SEREBRENNIKOV, DMITRY KHARITONOV, SAYING: "He pleaded not guilty. Tomorrow at 12 a.m. the Basmanny court will rule on the pre-trial restriction. We do not know yet what type of restriction it will be. The request (by the investigation) will be made tomorrow at 10 a.m." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LAWYER FOR THEATRE DIRECTOR KIRILL SEREBRENNIKOV, DMITRY KHARITONOV, SAYING: "Kirill Semyonovich (Serebrennikov) believes the accusation is absolutely absurd and that 'Platform' project was completed and that the money earmarked by the state was spent on the project. That is all so far." VARIOUS OF VAN SUPPOSEDLY CARRYING SEREBRENNIKOV DRIVING OUT OF INVESTIGATIVE COMMITEE YARD
  • Embargoed: 5th September 2017 18:47
  • Keywords: Russia theatre arrest of theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov Gogol Centre
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA0036V8NCQV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:A prominent Russian theatre director who has lamented what he says is the lack of freedom and growing social conservatism in his country was detained on Tuesday (August 22) and accused of embezzling state funds.
    Russia's Investigative Committee said it suspected Kirill Serebrennikov of embezzling at least 68 million roubles ($1.15 million) in state funds earmarked for an art project, it said in a statement.
    Serebrennikov, art director at Moscow's avant-garde Gogol Centre theatre, denies wrongdoing. He faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.
    Dmitry Kharitonov, a lawyer for Serebrennikov, said his client was detained in St. Petersburg where he was working on a film about a Soviet rock star.
    Serebrennikov, an award-winning director, has used his work to criticize the authorities in the past, lashing out at what he sees as the pernicious growing role of the state and church in Russian society.
    His detention shocked his supporters and the arts world.
    In May, investigators searched Serebrennikov's home and office and questioned him as a witness in an embezzlement case.
    The accountant and general director of Serebrennikov's theatre have already been accused of stealing state funds.
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