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Moscow Police Arrest Suspect in Attack on Bolshoi Director


Sergei Filin, artistic director of Russia's Bolshoi Ballet, speaks to journalists as he leaves a hospital in Moscow, Feb. 4, 2013.
Sergei Filin, artistic director of Russia's Bolshoi Ballet, speaks to journalists as he leaves a hospital in Moscow, Feb. 4, 2013.
Moscow police have detained a suspect in the savage attack on the Bolshoi Theatre’s artistic director. Police have also searched the home of a Bolshoi dancer, but have not said why.

Police said a suspect has been delivered to a Moscow police station and is being questioned in the acid attack of Bolshoi Artistic Director Sergei Filin.

Filin was attacked outside his apartment, on January 17, as he was returning home from work. Filin suffered severe burns to his eyes and face after the assailant threw sulfuric acid on him. Filin has undergone several operations to restore his eyesight and is currently receiving treatment in Germany.

Maxim Kolosvetov, a spokesman with Moscow’s police department, says, during the investigation police officers brought one of the suspects in for questioning. Kolosvetov said all investigative procedures are now underway.

Russian state television has reported that the suspect does not have ties with the Bolshoi Theatre and he allegedly carried out the attack on a contract basis.

Filin believes that he was targeted because of infighting between different groups of dancers and workers at the Bolshoi. A theater spokesperson claimed Filin received threats and was harassed leading up to his attack.

Meanwhile, Filin said he believes he knows who was responsible for his injuries, but refused to say who it was.

The internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, has been plagued with infighting and several artistic directors have left the company during the past few years.
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