Bolshoi chief may lose sight after acid attackJanuary 18, 2013 - 15:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The artistic director of the Bolshoi Theatre's ballet troupe may lose his sight after he was attacked with acid in Moscow, the theatre said, according to Belfast Telegraph. Sergei Filin, a 42-year-old former ballet star, was approached by an unknown man who splashed acid on his face as he got out of his car outside his home in central Moscow on Thursday, January 17 night, Russian television reported. Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova, who visited Filin in hospital, told the Associated Press that his condition is stable but his eyesight is at risk. Filin was appointed artistic director of the Bolshoi's ballet company in March 2011. He danced for the Bolshoi on and off from 1988 to 2004 when he suffered a severe injury on stage. The theatre's director-general, Anatoly Iksanov, told Russia's Channel One that he believes the attack is linked to Filin's work. "He was a man of principle and never compromised," Mr Iksanov said. "If he believed that this or that dancer was not ready or was unable perform this or that part, he would turn them down." Several stars at the Bolshoi including Nikolai Tsiskaridze, one of its most celebrated dancers, have complained about what they call Filin's unfair treatment of dancers at the Bolshoi. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | International cybercrime ringleaders arrested in Armenia, Ukraine Europol, Europe's crime agency, has arrested four ringleaders of several cybercrime networks that used botnets. Armenia skips CSTO Defense Ministers meeting A meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization countries began in Almaty. Armenian, Iranian foreigh policy chief talk over the phone The Foreign Minister of Armenia once again expressed condolences to his counterpart on the death of the President of Iran. Armenia, U.S. customs authorities to boost assistance with new deal The government has approved an agreement with the U.S. government on mutual assistance between the customs authorities. |