Theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov's house arrest has been extended to 19 January 2018 as investigations continue into alleged embezzlement charges.

Freemuse Senior Programme Officer Magnus Ag speaks in Russia about artistic freedom at X-Ray Audio exhibition at Garage Museum in central Moscow.

“Matilda” has stirred controversy in Russia, leading to arson attacks, threats against those involved in the film and cinemas refusing to screen the film.

Bolshoi Theatre announced that the controversial ballet “Nureyev” will premiere on 9-10 December 2017, despite director Kirill Serebrennikov’s house arrest.

On 8 August 2017, Chechen singer Zelim Bakaev disappeared in the republic’s capital of Grozny while he was there from Moscow to attend his sister’s wedding.

Freemuse is concerned about the recent trial & house arrest of prominent Russian theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov over charges of alleged embezzlement.

Natalia Sharina, ex-director of the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow, was found guilty of having “extremist literature” at the library.

Authorities raided theatre Gogol Centre, its artistic director's home and other related addresses in embezzlement investigation.

Russia’s State Duma will discuss a bill at the end of May 2017 seeking to “protect high important values” in public, including art and cultural venues.

Ukraine has banned Russian singer Julia Samoilova from entering the country for the next three years due to her giving a performance in Crimea in 2015.