Kirill Serebrennikov Arrested. Voronova Fugitive?

As reported by numerous sources in Russia, director Kirill Serebrennikov has been arrested on charges of large-scale embezzlement. Further, according to TASS, a search is on for producer Yekaterina Voronova, who like Serebrennikov, Alexei Malobrodsky, Yury Itin and Nina Maslyaeva, is a person of interest in the case. Events are unfolding quickly. Here are some news and reactions. Please note I am updating this as information or new comments become available. I.e., come back and you may find news.

TASS on the case against Serebrennikov:

"Serebrennikov instructed the aformentioned individuals of the Seventh studio to enter into fictitious contracts with controlled entities and private entrepreneurs who allegedly fulfilled the obligations associated with the implementation of activities organized by the Platforma project. Under the guise of payment of these contracts, the money received from the Ministry of Culture of Russia was withdrawn to the accounts of these counterparties (some were so-called one-day firms), cashed and distributed by Serebrennikov among the accomplices," [Investigative Committee spokeswoman Svetlana] Petrenko said.

In total, the investigation believes, thus no less than 68 million rubles allocated from the federal budget were stolen. Serebrennikov was charged with committing a crime under Part 4 of Art. 159 of the Criminal Code ("Fraud in a particularly large amount.") Petrenko clarified that the director's fault in the organization of fraud is confirmed by the testimony of witnesses and financial documentation, as well as by the results of operational and investigative activities and other evidence. On August 23, the Moscow Basmanny Court will select a preventive measure against the director - arrest or house arrest."

In part, KIRILL SEREBRENNIKOV on Echo.Moskvy website/Dozhd TV:

"He was 'taken almost on location' in St. Petersburg, without giving him an opportunity to change,' Serebrennikov told Kogershyn Sagieva, a journalist of Dozhd television channel and a member of the Public Monitoring Commission who visited him in a temporary detention facility. The detention took place around midnight - Serebrennikov was transported to Moscow by minibus for nine hours, and around 9 am on August 22 he was in the Investigative Committee; there he spent eight more hours. The director considers his detention a 'show arrest,' since, in his opinion, there was no sense 'to go after him nine hours in one direction, and then to return another nine hours.' He noted that he did not miss a single meeting with the investigator in the Seventh Studio case and he regularly fulfilled all requests of the Investigative Committee. [...]"

Director NIKOLAI ROSHCHIN on Facebook: "All directors, throughout the entire country, must stop producing shows."

VLADIMIR URIN, managing director of the Bolshoi Theater, on Meduza.ru:

"The decision of detention can only be made by a court upon a petition of the Investigative Committee. Court has not yet been in session - and no such decision has yet been made. And I hope it will not be, even if the investigating authorities have some complaints about Kirill Semyonovich. This man is very gifted and very talented. The Bolshoi Theater considers him a great artist."

GEORGY CHKHARTISHVILI (BORIS AKUNIN), best-selling novelist, on Meduza.ru:

"Regarding the night arrest of Kirill Serebrennikov: Internationally resonant arrests of people of this level in our country occur only with the agreement, or even on the direct order of the Chief Chief. No two ways about that. So let's call things by their proper names. Director Meyerhold was arrested not by the NKVD, but by Stalin. Director Serebrennikov was arrested not by the Investigative Committee, he was arrested by Putin. And we'll be happy if, for PR-purposes, the world-famous director is later shown the highest mercy and released under house arrest or under his signature [not to leave]. Because if it doesn't happen like that, then Russia has moved into a new state of existence where new rules operate."

The YABLOKO PARTY statement on Meduza.ru: "The Yabloko Party regards Serebrennikov's arrest as an act of intimidation of the creative community. The guilt of the director raises great doubts - charges of embezzlement have become an ordinary tool of political reprisal and settling of accounts with opponents in today's Russia. We are convinced that Serebrennikov is being persecuted for his art, that runs counter to the obscurantist state policy, all the forces of which Minister of Culture Vladimir Medinsky directs to create historical myths and cheap propaganda. Serebrennikov became an example of the independence of spirit, freedom and uncompromising creativity, and therefore was chosen as a victim of a new show trial."

YELENA GREMINA in Teatral magazine:

"I believe this is certainly a blatant offensive against theater. If we think of this as a kind of 'message,' it sounds very threatening: 'Leave! There will be nothing good here.'

Moreover, since the beginning of the pullback from democracy in the direction of protective and reactionary cultural policy, everyone is talking about state money and if you have taken any, you must do what the authorities now want..."

KAMA GINKAS in (Matters Like That) magazine:

"Oh, for F's sake. For F's sake. That's my reaction. From there you can decipher numerous phrases in Lithuanian. What can I say? Are we really starting over? Are we really doing this again?"

KSENIA LARINA of Echo Moskvy Radio on Facebook:

"159.4 is the article under which all of the suspects in the Seventh Studio case have been arrested. They did it. Kirill is arrested.

As in the finest of Soviet traditions, they came for him in the night, at his hotel. In St. Petersburg.

Meanwhile, his lawyer is in Vladimir. In other words, all this time, from the moment of his arrest, and before any accusations are made, Kirill has been without an attorney."

Director GLEB CHEREPANOV on Facebook (partial):

"...There is only one more protagonist of this foul-smelling story. And its name is Fear. Which has again returned to our heads, souls, and subconscious. It is already here, nearby, whispering in our ears. I especially think, for some reason, about the very youngest among us. Those who are younger than me. Those who are just entering life. Who are just now graduating from the institute. Who are staging their first performances. Shooting their first movie. This signal is for them! As it turns out. It's primarily for them. Look, guys, look how easily wings are cut off! In an instant. So sit still and do not rock the boat! Do not say too much. Do not stage plays, do not make films, and do not speak out on controversial or near-political topics. Do not spoil relations with the 'necessary' people. Do what people tell you. And - be silent! No matter what. Be silent! Always. Just be silent! [...]"

YURY KLAVDIEV on Facebook:

"'He created a theater for the realization of a criminal plan.' Excellent! Keep in mind that now they call criminal intent the alleged theft of money (we remember that earlier they were unhappy with non-existent performances, which, uncomfortably for them, actually did exist). But this is just now. Next, the play itself becomes criminal intent. Then a book. Then a research article. And then - and the individual himself. Because he was born to the wrong parents. We have already been through all this. Hang tight, Kirill."

ALEXEI NAVALNY on Facebook:

(Part One of Alexei Navalny's long post about the arrest of Kirill Serebrennikov.) "In Essence. Make sure that the remainder of the 'masters of culture' don't get frisky, but rather quickly run to register as a confidant of Putin. Elections are right around the corner. And may the most daring of them (they do exist, they won't join the mass 'sign-up'), not dare to even hint at supporting the opposition. May they keep silent with their universal formula of 'I am outside of politics,' which, in Russia is a euphemism for, 'I'm a coward and I'm sitting on my budget money.' Actually, Serebrennikov, with all due respect to him, constantly demonstrated loyalty, although he clearly pushed back in his work. As he did in private conversations - he hasn't a bit of respect for the authorities. So they draw the new 'double line.' Your work must glorify [the authorities]. And don't talk too much with your friends. It is very important to show that your success will not in any way stop you from doing reverence, and will not dim the enthusiasm in your eyes when you kiss the chief's hand. Every one of them sits on budgetary money and, in reality, any one of them can be jailed. The laws are so stupid that it's impossible to work in this system." [...]

OLEG BOGAEV on Facebook:

"This is why the premiere at the Bolshoi was postponed (closed), because the arrest of Kirill was planned in advance. The first question is how far will the system go, the second question is how closely will the cultural elite unite. If it is difficult to give a definite answer to the first question, the second answer is obvious - there will not be unity (because of grants, state support, collectives, families, loans). So Kirill will have to stay behind bars for at least six months. And this is the most terrible thing."