Kremlin Critic Is Missing In Germany

BERLIN — A Russian artist who has been condemned by the Orthodox Church over an exhibit in her home country has been missing from her apartment in western Berlin for almost a week, police said yesterday.

Anna Mikhalchuk, 52, left her apartment on March 21 and has not been seen since, a police spokeswoman, Gabriele Kobbe, told the Associated Press.

"The investigation is continuing but we do not have any concrete hints at this point," Ms. Kobbe said.

Ms. Mikhalchuk, also known in Russia under the name of Anna Alchuk, moved to Berlin with her husband in November.

In 2005, a Moscow court acquitted Ms. Mikhalchuk of inciting religious hatred with her works in a art exhibit that was condemned by the Russian Orthodox Church. The 2003 exhibition — called "Caution, Religion" — was organized by the Sakharov Museum, which is also a leading human rights organization, promoting democracy and human rights in Russia.