|
Russian prosecutors say they suspect the
director, Kirill Serebrennikov, of embezzling at least 68
million rubles ($1.17 million) in state funds earmarked for an
art project. Serebrennikov, under house arrest awaiting trial,
denies the charges.
The case has prompted an outcry among the country's liberal
cultural elite who said they feared the director was being
persecuted for his work, which has often poked fun at the
authorities.
Putin, in his first public comments after Serebrennikov's
arrest, denied any political overtones in his case.
"Serebrennikov used to receive state funds - this means there
was no censorship, no pressure," he told a news conference after
a summit of the BRICS nations in China.
"Otherwise, he would simply have not been given state funds, if
there had been intentions to rein in his creative activity."
Putin said that there were differing attitudes to
Serebrennikov's work, but said it was "just a matter of taste".
"If authorities earmark funds, it means that at least they view
it from a neutral position and allow the artist to perform, to
work," he said.
"The only question for the investigation is the legality of
spending budget funds," he added. "Should investigative and
auditing bodies see someone violating the law in force, the same
methods will be applied to them. And they will also be brought
to justice."
(Reporting by Denis Pinchuk; Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; Editing
by Christian Lowe)
[© 2017 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2017 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
