Breaking News - Russian former ballet star is attacked with acid

Started by NewsCaster, Jan 18, 2013, 12:30 PM

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Alexander Natruskin / Reuters, fileSeveral stars at the Bolshoi have complained about alleged unfair treatment at the hands of Sergei Filin, seen here in 2011.By Nataliya Vasilyeva, The Associated PressMOSCOW -- The artistic director of the Bolshoi Theater's ballet troupe was attacked with acid in Moscow and his eyesight is threatened, the theater said Friday.

Sergei Filin, a 42-year-old former ballet star, was approached Thursday night by an unknown man who splashed acid on his face as he got out of his car outside his home in central Moscow, Russian television reported.

Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova, who visited Filin at the hospital Thursday night, told The Associated Press that his condition is stable but his eyesight is threatened.

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 his sustained a severe injury onstage.

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