Acid attack on Bolshoi artistic director

Bolshoi Ballet artistic director Sergei Filin suffered severe facial burns in an acid attack by an unidentified person in Moscow, a theatre spokesperson said.

Filin, 43, a former Bolshoi star, was appointed artistic director in March 2011 amid fierce rivalry for the position.

The attack occurred at around Thursday midnight, as Filin was approaching his home. A masked assailant threw concentrated acid into his face and fled the scene.

Filin received third-degree burns to his face and eyes, and is being treated at a hospital in Moscow where doctors are fighting to save his sight. It could take at least six months for him to recover, spokesperson Yekaterina Novikova said.

"Sergei is in a satisfactory condition, he is in our burns centre, not intensive care," a hospital spokesperson said.

Police said, if convicted, the assailant could face up to eight years in jail.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. Investigators believe it could be linked to internal theatre politics. --IANS/RIA Novosti