(8 Jun 2016) A Russian court on Wednesday ordered the release of a political performance artist who was charged with vandalism for two stunts in Moscow and St. Petersburg, ending what could have been a trial to rival that of punk band Pussy Riot.
Pyotr Pavlensky has been in detention since November after he set fire to the doors of the headquarters of the Russian security agency FSB, formerly the KGB, in Moscow.
In May, Pavlensky was found guilty for a pro-Ukraine protest in which he and other activists burned tires and banged metal sheets with sticks near a St. Petersburg cathedral.
The Moscow court on Wednesday found Pavlensky guilty of vandalising the doors of what it said was a heritage building because prominent Russians had been kept in detention there.
Pavlensky was fined about 7,600 US dollars and set free in a court room packed with reporters.
Speaking after his realise, Pavlensky said that the outcome of the trail "does not matter" and that it was more important to "uncover the truth."
Pavlensky's trial was seen as a possible repeat of a trial of Pussy Riot members who were sentenced to two years in prison for a performance at Moscow's major cathedral.
The charges against Pavlensky did carry a prison term but the prosecutors took everyone by surprise when they asked the court to fine, not jail him.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
