The hearing in the case involving Evgenia Berkovich, the director, and Svetlana Petriychuk, the playwright, concluded recently at the Military Court of the Second Western District. Information about the session was shared through the Telegram channel VLager, where the lawyers and involved parties provided updates on the proceedings.
According to Svetlana Petriychuk’s counsel, Sergei Badamshin, the sessions were held behind closed doors. He emphasized that the facts of the case were discussed in a confidential environment, with only the necessary participants present to ensure due process and the safety of all involved.
Earlier, in May 2023, Berkovich and Petriychuk were formally charged with promoting terrorism through their artistic work. The charge stemmed from a stage production based on the play Finist Yasnyi Sokol. The narrative follows women who are approached by individuals aligned with radical ideologies via social media platforms. Law enforcement authorities determined that the piece contained elements of propaganda and legitimate support for terrorism, assigning the charge as a reflection of perceived risks associated with cultural representations and their potential influence.
During the most recent session, another prominent figure from the theatre world, actor Veniamin Smekhov, took the stand to speak about the production. He offered a strong endorsement of the performance, praising its artistic merit and craftsmanship. Smekhov noted that the staging demonstrated considerable talent and expressed a willingness to view the work again, underscoring the ongoing conversation about how controversial themes are presented in contemporary theatre.
On June 10, an ambulance was summoned to the courtroom to attend to urgent medical needs involving Dr. Evgenia Berkovich, and the next hearing was postponed. The disruption highlighted the complex interplay between the pressures of high-profile legal proceedings and the personal health concerns that can arise during a prolonged judicial process. The court, meanwhile, continued to manage the case with procedural steps designed to protect the rights of all parties while preserving the integrity of the investigation.