Bolshoi ballet soloist: “I masterminded the acid attack”

Soloist Bolshoi ballet dancer has confessed to being the mastermind of the acid attack against the troupe’s artistic director

16:36 06 March 2013

Pavel Dmitrichenko, a soloist Bolshoi ballet dancer, has admitted to being behind the acid attack against Sergei Filin, the troupe’s artistic director. He, together with Yuri Zarutsky, who admitted to carrying out Pavel’s orders, and another man, accused of driving the getaway vehicle, have now been detained.

Sergei Filin’s was attacked with sulphuric acid in January outside his Moscow apartment. He is now undergoing treatment after his eyesight was badly damaged. He also suffered from facial burns.

Prior to the confessions, suspicions were cast on another dancer called Nikolai Tsiskaridze. He was accused of inspiring the attack by Bolshoi manager Anatoly Iksanov. Mr Tsiskaridze was questioned but not detained.

Meanwhile, police released a video showing Dmitrichenko’s confession. He said, as quoted by the BBC in one report: “I masterminded this attack, but not to the extent that it eventually happened”.

The driver of the getaway car, Andrei Lipatov, also confessed, saying to the same media group: “I didn't actually see what happened. I just dropped [him] off, waited and then drove him off.”