This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24620523
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Bolshoi dancer Dmitrichenko on trial over acid attack | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A Bolshoi Ballet soloist has gone on trial over an acid attack on the company's artistic director in January. | |
| Dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko is accused of organising of the attack on Sergei Filin, whose eyesight was badly damaged when sulphuric acid was thrown at him outside his Moscow flat. | Dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko is accused of organising of the attack on Sergei Filin, whose eyesight was badly damaged when sulphuric acid was thrown at him outside his Moscow flat. |
| Mr Dmitrichenko denies arranging the attack. If convicted, the dancer could face 12 years in jail. | Mr Dmitrichenko denies arranging the attack. If convicted, the dancer could face 12 years in jail. |
| The attack revealed bitter infighting and rivalries inside the Bolshoi. | The attack revealed bitter infighting and rivalries inside the Bolshoi. |
| Also on trial are the man accused of throwing the acid, Yuri Zarutsky, and Andrei Lipatov, who allegedly drove the getaway car. | Also on trial are the man accused of throwing the acid, Yuri Zarutsky, and Andrei Lipatov, who allegedly drove the getaway car. |
| As the trial began on Tuesday, the tiny Moscow courtroom where it was taking place was packed with journalists as the defendants were led into a caged dock. | |
| 'Public resonance' | |
| After initially admitting to masterminding the attack, Mr Dmitrichenko later said he had discussed an assault on Mr Filin but not the use of acid. | After initially admitting to masterminding the attack, Mr Dmitrichenko later said he had discussed an assault on Mr Filin but not the use of acid. |
| Following a pre-trial hearing, Mr Dmitrichenko's lawyer alleged that the defendant had been beaten by masked police - a claim that the Russian interior ministry has denied. | Following a pre-trial hearing, Mr Dmitrichenko's lawyer alleged that the defendant had been beaten by masked police - a claim that the Russian interior ministry has denied. |
| On Monday, ahead of the trial in Moscow, lawyer Sergei Kadyrov said: "Dmitrichenko does not consider himself guilty of causing grave harm to Filin's health." | On Monday, ahead of the trial in Moscow, lawyer Sergei Kadyrov said: "Dmitrichenko does not consider himself guilty of causing grave harm to Filin's health." |
| "I hope the court will be able to distance itself from the public resonance of this case and deliver a well-grounded and just verdict." | "I hope the court will be able to distance itself from the public resonance of this case and deliver a well-grounded and just verdict." |
| Mr Filin has had more than 20 operations to try to save his eyesight. | Mr Filin has had more than 20 operations to try to save his eyesight. |
| Following treatment in Germany, he returned to Moscow for the inauguration of the Bolshoi's season last month, wearing dark glasses. | Following treatment in Germany, he returned to Moscow for the inauguration of the Bolshoi's season last month, wearing dark glasses. |
| In March, more than 300 members of the Bolshoi Ballet wrote to President Vladimir Putin, saying that the idea that Mr Dmitrichenko was behind the crime was "absurd". | In March, more than 300 members of the Bolshoi Ballet wrote to President Vladimir Putin, saying that the idea that Mr Dmitrichenko was behind the crime was "absurd". |