The director of Moscow’s Obraztsov Theater, the biggest puppet theater in the world, has been detained by police on embezzlement charges, RIA-Novosti reported Wednesday, citing a law enforcement source.
The director, Andrei Luchin, is accused of swindling almost 12 million rubles ($385,000) of state funds allotted for production of puppets for several plays, the Investigative Committee said, Interfax reported.
Police were preparing Wednesday to file fraud charges against Luchin, who faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted in the case, the report said.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.