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Filin may not return to Russia if case remains unsolved: friend

The artistic director of the Bolshoi ballet, Sergei Filin, who had his face disfigured and eyesight damaged with sulfuric acid

MOSCOW, March 10 (Itar-Tass) – The artistic director of the Bolshoi ballet, Sergei Filin, who had his face disfigured and eyesight damaged with sulfuric acid, may not return to Russia if the case over an attack on him is not brought to an end, Filin’s friend Grigory Belkin told Vesti Nedeli news program on Rossiya 1 television on Sunday.

“I am afraid that if the case over the attack on Sergei is not brought to an end, and thus his safety in Russia is not ensured, he may opt not to return,” Belkin said. “He is now getting a host of offers from abroad from leading theaters of the world,” he remarked.

According to Belkin, the attack on Filin was connected with his professional activity. “Attempts were made to pressure him into giving this or that part to this or that dancer,” he said. “Attempts were made to give him rather big bribes. The threats began after it became clear that it would be impossible to bribe him,” he added.

An attack on Sergei Filin, 42, came on January 17, when a man approached him on the street and splashed acid in his face. Filin suffered facial and eye burns and was taken to a Moscow hospital to have undergone three surgeries. Then he took a course of treatment in Germany, where he is still now.

Bolsoi ballet soloist Pavel Dmitrichenko, Yuri Zarutsky with criminal records and driver Andrei Lipatov were detained. They were charged with malicious infliction of serious harm to health, and may face up to 12 years in prison.