russian court extends house arrest of top director
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

Russian court extends house arrest of top director

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today Russian court extends house arrest of top director

Russian theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov gestures from the defendants' cage in a Moscow court.
Moscow - Arab Today

A Russian court on Tuesday extended the house arrest of acclaimed theatre and film director Kirill Serebrennikov, in a controversial fraud case that has shocked the arts community.

A judge at Moscow's Basmanny district Court ruled that Serebrennikov must remain under house arrest until January 19, 2018, RIA Novosti news agency reported from the court.

Back in August Serebrennikov was placed under house arrest until October 19, accused of defrauding the state of over $1 million in arts funding. Three of his former staff have been arrested

The director -- who heads Moscow's Gogol Centre theatre and has staged productions at the Bolshoi theatre -- has denounced the charges as "absurd".

On Tuesday, journalists and supporters packed the courtroom for a hearing lasting some six hours.

The defence team presented letters from more than 70 arts figures vouching for Serebrennikov's good behaviour if released, ranging from a crooner who is also a pro-Kremlin MP to a popular rapper, Meduza news site reported.

However investigators asked for his house arrest to be extended, arguing that Serebrennikov could attempt to flee since he has a residence permit in Latvia and property in Germany,

"This is a kind of complete trickery, (saying) that we could flee," Serebrennikov said in court, pointing out his passport has been confiscated.

"What's more I have an interest in the truth prevailing, in the truth being uncovered," he added.

He said he needed to be able to work since his staging of a ballet about Russian dance legend Rudolf Nureyev is due to premiere at the Bolshoi in December and he wants to complete shooting on a film.

Serebrennikov suggested the court could even provide armed guards to ensure he does not flee, but his request was turned down.

He alleged that even before the case had begun, he was aware of being under surveillance, but had opted not to leave Russia.

"I realised I was being bugged before, several years ago -- bugs, external surveillance," Serebrennikov said, quoted by RIA Novosti news agency.

"Waiters would say 'there's a microphone stuck under your table.'"

"You only run away when you are guilty."

Critics view the case as the latest crackdown on liberal culture in Vladimir Putin's Russia.

International stars including Cate Blanchett and Ian McKellen have called for Serebrennikov's release without charge.

A Kremlin spokesman has denied that the case has anything to do with "politicisation, censorship", saying it is linked to "purely financial questions".

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

russian court extends house arrest of top director russian court extends house arrest of top director

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

russian court extends house arrest of top director russian court extends house arrest of top director

 



GMT 03:07 2017 Wednesday ,25 January

Health care veterans, pioneers awarded

GMT 05:44 2017 Saturday ,11 November

Business as usual as Hamilton dominates Brazil practice

GMT 11:08 2018 Thursday ,25 October

Russia to be at very high level at conference on Libya

GMT 15:00 2012 Saturday ,21 April

Nelly Karim: Egypt akin to \'Hiya Fawda\'

GMT 03:02 2018 Saturday ,20 January

Egypt's President Sisi says will stand for re-election

GMT 00:51 2017 Tuesday ,24 October

HH the Emir Meets Foreign Minister of Kuwait

GMT 05:42 2017 Saturday ,02 September

64 dead in clashes in Raqa province

GMT 00:08 2017 Sunday ,05 March

Desperate migrants escape Libya 'hell'

GMT 19:24 2016 Saturday ,12 November

Israeli air forces attack Syrian position in Qunaitera

GMT 07:25 2017 Tuesday ,14 March

China's retail sales up 9.5% on-year in Jan-Feb

GMT 21:05 2017 Friday ,08 December

Saudi Assistant Defence Minister arrives in Bahrain

GMT 23:31 2017 Thursday ,09 March

HH Sheikha Moza to Visit Sudan, Tunis

GMT 11:45 2017 Saturday ,05 August

Fouad Al-Kaam wishes to shine
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday