Russia – Sentencing of director Yevgenia Berkovitch and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk (August 20, 2025)

France denounces the more than five-year prison sentences handed down against theater director Yevgenia Berkovitch and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk, which were upheld by the Russian Supreme Court. This move once again rubber-stamps politically motivated rulings against the freedom of speech.

France calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners and to abide by its commitments regarding fundamental rights and liberties.