Russian artist on trial for setting fire in bank

PARIS: A provocative Russian performance artist is on trial for setting fire to an office of France’s central bank.

Pyotr Pavlensky defied court procedures as the trial opened in Paris on Thursday, prompting a row with the translator, who left.

Pavlensky is accused of vandalising state heritage over the fire which caused minor damage to the bank façade last year. He said it was aimed at denouncing the “tyranny” of bankers. He could face up to 10 years in prison and fines.

Pavlensky, who had sought political asylum in France before the bank fire, spent 11 months in pretrial detention. | AP African News Agency (ANA)