Story highlights Kirill Serebrennikov is accused of embezzling more than $1.2 million of government funds

Friends say the case is politically motivated because Serebrennikov has spoken against censorship

(CNN) A prominent Russian theater and film director and critic of censorship was charged with embezzlement on Tuesday, in what his supporters see as a politically motivated case.

Kirill Serebrennikov was arrested in St. Petersburg on Tuesday. He was later charged with fraud, Interfax news agency reported, citing Russia's investigative committee.

The committee, which investigates high-profile crimes, said Serebrennikov is accused of embezzling more than $1.2 million of government funds between 2011 and 2014, by taking money allocated for a theatrical project.

The 47-year-old creative director of progressive theater Gogol Center in Moscow has denied wrongdoing.

Serebrennikov faces a hearing on Wednesday, where he will learn whether he will await trial in prison or under house arrest. Supporters plan to gather in protest outside the city center court at midday during that appearance.

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