Jailed Russian director Berkovich sent to punishment cell over three sweets

Russian theatre director Zhenya Berkovich, who is serving a prison sentence at a penal colony in Russia's Kostroma region, has revealed in a letter to her mother, Yelena Efros, that she was recently placed in a punishment cell twice. The letter was published by the newspaper Novaya Gazeta.

The first stint in the punishment cell lasted seven days. About ten days later, she was sent back for another 15 days. The second punishment followed her attempt to bring three sweets into her workplace at the colony, combined with an accusation that she had "introduced herself improperly" upon entering the prison administration's office.

No explanation given

In her letter, Berkovich writes that such minor infractions do not normally lead to a punishment cell. She says she must have somehow "stood out" in some way, though staff have not explained why and simply point to her listed violations. She describes conditions in the cell as cold, damp and depressing, adding that she craves coffee and that a psychiatrist she was supposed to see has not shown up.

Sentenced over a play

In July 2024, a Russian military court sentenced Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petriychuk to six years in prison each for "justifying terrorism." The criminal case stemmed from their play "Finist the Brave Falcon," which depicts Russian women who travel to Syria to join their fiancés — fighters for the terrorist group Islamic State. The production won Russia's prestigious Golden Mask theatre award in 2022.

Both women later had their sentences reduced slightly — Berkovich's by five months and Petriychuk's by two months.