Hundreds protest against arrest of prominent Russian theatre director

Record ID: 907363

  • Title: Hundreds protest against arrest of prominent Russian theatre director
  • Date: 23rd August 2017
  • Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 23, 2017) (REUTERS) PROTESTERS NEXT TO COURT BUILDING / POLICE VANS POLICEMAN IN VAN WOMAN WITH FLOWERS PROTESTERS CHANTING NAME OF KIRILL SEREBRENNIKOV (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, SERGEI SIONOVICH, SAYING: "It seems to me that what is happening now and the photos that we see from the courtroom where Serebrennikov is behind bars - will be a shame for Russia. One of the best artists, who is one of very well known in Russia and abroad will become a prisoner of the Russian justice." POLICE OFFICERS PROTESTERS AND POLICE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PLAY WRITER, MIKHAIL DURNENKOV, SAYING: "It's obvious that it is a show trial. It seems obvious that this is done to send a signal to the cultural community, that's why it is happening. There was no need to do what is happening here today with so much noise, fanfare and cruelty. " POLICE VAN PROTESTERS WOMAN TAKING PICTURES WITH SMARTPHONE (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) MOSCOW RESIDENT, SERGEI KARDIKHIN, SAYING: "This person represents the cultural frontier. And accusations against him are absurd. There are several accusations and the funniest thing is that I had personally seen the play which (according to investigation) has never being staged and money earmarked for it was stolen." POLICE PROTESTERS
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2017 13:28
  • Keywords: Russia theatre artistic director Gogol Centre Kirill Serebrennikov Basmanny court arrest
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA0016VDNE4N
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hundreds of Moscow residents gathered outside the Moscow's Basmanny court on Wednesday (August 23) to show their support to the famous Russian theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov had been detained and charged with embezzlement the day earlier.
    Russia's Investigative Committee said it suspected Serebrennikov of embezzling at least 68 million roubles ($1.15 million) in state funds earmarked for an art project.
    Serebrennikov, an art director at Moscow's avant-garde Gogol Centre theatre, denies wrongdoing. He faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.
    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.
    One of the protesters, Muscovite Sergei Sionovich, called Serebrennikov's arrest "a shame for Russia".
    Another Serebrennikov supporter, Sergei Kardikhin, said the entire case was "absurd", because he had seen the play which according to the investigation had never been staged.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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