Russia raids opera director over alleged embezzlement
mainMoscow police today raided the apartment of Kirill Serebrennikov, who is accused of misuse of public funds.
Serebrennikov, artistic director of the Gogol Centre since 2012, is presently staging Hansel und Gretel in Stuttgart.
Friends say the charge is politically motivated. Russian media report that police are conducting searches at 17 Moscow addresses linked to Serebrennikov, including his apartment and the theatre itself.
Serebrennikov has staged opera at the Vienna Festival and theatre at Avignon. He is also an acclaimed film director.
He wasn’t away, actually. He was detained.
https://www.rferl.org/a/28504833.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/23/theatre-raid-raises-fresh-fear-putin-civil-society-crackdown/
This was a first report. It became clear later that he was detained.
Haha! Putin says “Just fools!” on situation with Kirill Serebrennikov. Found his speech here: https://en.crimerussia.com/financialcrimes/putin-on-gogol-center-case-just-fools-/