Russian Bolshol Ballet Director Attacked With Acid

Sergei Filin

Filin suffered third-degree burns to his face and intensive damage to his eyes.

By H. Nelson Goodson

January 23, 2013

Moscow, Russia - The daily Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda reported that Sergie Filin, 42, remained in stable condition after last Thursday's acid attack to his face. Filin is the artistic director of the Bolshol Ballet. 

On late Thursday, a suspect attacked Filin with acid when he was getting out of his vehicle near his residence in Moscow. The suspect threw sulfuric acid in Filin's face and then fled.

Nearby video surveillance camera caught the attack. Filin underwent surgery and is expected to have multiple plastic surgeries. He received intensive damage to his eyes, but won't lose his eyesight, according to Pravda. 

Filin acknowledged that he had received threats, but didn't expect an attack. Police continue to investigate the incident and are confident that they will make arrests on Filin's attack.