Serebrennikov, an award-winning director, was
detained by investigators on Tuesday and accused of fraud. His
supporters say it is part of a government crackdown on the arts
ahead of a presidential election next year.
The director, who has used his work to poke fun at the
authorities, lashing out at what he sees as the pernicious role
of the church and state in Russian society, denies any
wrongdoing.
Crowds outside the courtroom on Wednesday chanted "Freedom!" and
"Kirill!"
Writer and director Viktor Shenderovich, who had come to support
Serebrennikov, said he thought the case was meant to be a
warning to others.
"Kirill Serebrennikov is a world class director and this is a
clear signal before the elections," Shenderovich told Russian
broadcaster TV Rain.
"(The signal is that ) no global profile ... or elite will save
you from the interests of a repressive state if it decides that
it is in its interests to put you on the ground face down."
Russia's Investigative Committee said on Tuesday it suspected
Serebrennikov of embezzling at least 68 million roubles ($1.15
million) in state funds earmarked for an art project.
A state prosecutor told the hearing on Wednesday that the
director led a criminal group and was a flight risk and should
therefore be placed under house arrest.
Serebrennikov's case has raised an outcry among the country's
liberal cultural elite who say they fear the director was being
persecuted for his edgy work.
"I want to be released because I am not guilty," the director
told the judge on Wednesday. "All the accusations made against
me are absurd. I've been working honestly for many years. I need
to finish filming a movie and put shows on."
Serebrennikov, art director at Moscow's avant-garde Gogol Center
theater, faces up to 10 years in jail if found guilty.
A decision on whether he will be put under house arrest or freed
on bail before his trial was expected later on Wednesday.
If placed under house arrest, he would be banned from using the
phone or communicating with anyone without investigators'
permission.
(Editing by Christian Lowe)
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