Director Zhenya Berkovich was detained as part of ongoing proceedings connected to the arrest of playwright Svetlana Petriychuk in the case surrounding the stage production Finist – the Clear Falcon. This information was reported by Fontanka, citing statements from actress Yulia August who publicly referenced the arrests on her social media accounts. August stated that both detentions involved Petriychuk, who is married to playwright Yuri Shekhvatov, and she conveyed the developments through her online posts. The investigations appear to center on alleged terrorist affiliations linked to the play Finist – Clear Falcon, with authorities pursuing arguments tied to justify the alleged acts associated with the production. The 2020 staging of Petriychuk’s work went on to receive major recognition in 2022, garnering the Golden Mask awards for Best Playwright’s Work and Best Costume Design. The narrative of the play focuses on women who decide to marry radical Islamists living in Syria, presenting a stark portrayal of extremist relationships and the impact of radicalization. On May 4, reports described searches conducted at the apartment of Berkovich’s grandmother, the writer Nina Katerli, as well as at the home of Elena Efros, Petriychuk’s mother, highlighting the broad scope of the investigative actions underway.
