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Bolshoi dancer Dmitrichenko on trial over acid attack Bolshoi dancer Dmitrichenko on trial over acid attack
(about 2 hours later)
A Bolshoi Ballet soloist has gone on trial over an acid attack on the company's artistic director in January. The trial of Bolshoi ballet dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko over an acid attack on the company's artistic director has opened and been adjourned.
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. Sulphuric acid was thrown at Sergei Filin outside his Moscow flat in January, badly damaging his eyesight.
Mr Dmitrichenko denies arranging the attack. If convicted, the dancer could face 12 years in jail. Mr Dmitrichenko denies arranging the attack. If convicted, he could face 12 years in jail. Two other men are being tried with him over the attack.
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. The other two on trial are Yuri Zarutsky, who is accused of throwing the acid, 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. The venue for the trial - a tiny courtroom in Moscow - was packed with journalists as the defendants were led into a caged dock.
'Public resonance' Before proceedings began, Mr Dmitrichenko, 29, repeated that he was innocent of the charges.
"I do not admit that I am guilty," he told journalists.
Shortly after the trial got under way, the judge adjourned proceedings for a week because a lawyer for Mr Zarutsky was not present.
The BBC's Steve Rosenberg says it was one of the most chaotic court hearings he has attended in Russia.
Multiple operations
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." The day before the trial, 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". At one point, 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".
Mr Dmitrichenko has been in custody since March.