Bolshoi Ballet Director Attacked With Acid
Published: January 18, 2013 (Issue # 1742)
MOSCOW – An unknown assailant threw acid in the face of Bolshoi Ballet director Sergei Filin in an attack that police have linked to his professional activities.
Filin was hospitalized with severe burns after the attack, which occurred near his apartment in the city center Thursday just before midnight, RIA-Novosti reported. The perpetrator fled and remains at large. So far no witnesses have come forward.
No motive was immediately named by police or Filin’s associates, though Bolshoi spokeswoman Yekaterina Novikova said unknown people have been threatening Filin.
An unnamed police spokesperson told Interfax that a link to the ballet director’s job was the most likely explanation but that a personal motive could not be excluded.
Filin had third-degree burns to his face, as well as burns to his eyes, Novikova said. He was in stable condition in City Hospital No. 36, the RIA-Novosti report said.