Museum Officials in Russia Face Trial for Displaying Controversial Artworks

A former Russian museum director and a curator have been charged with inciting hatred and offending human dignity, and if found guilty, the two men could face up to five years in prison, reports National Public Radio.

Two years ago Yuri Samodurov, who was then the director of the Sakharov Museum, in Moscow, and Andrei Yerofeev, a curator there, organized a show called “Forbidden Art,” which included pieces by contemporary artists whose works had been considered too scandalous for display by other museums or galleries.

Some of the artworks showed Christians worshiping Mickey Mouse instead of Jesus, sexually explicit scenes painted on a crucifix, and an image of a general raping a soldier.

During the trial, human-rights activists have been supportive of the defendants, and international human rights groups say the trial is attempting to quash Russian freedom of expression.