The artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet is in hospital after being attacked with acid.

Sergei Filin was approached last night as he got out of his car at home by an unknown man who splashed acid on his face.

A Bolshoi spokeswoman says the 42-year-old former ballet star’s condition is stable but his eyesight is threatened.

The theater’s director general, Anatoly Iksanov, says he believes the attacked is linked to Filin’s work.

Iksanov says, “He was a man of principle and never compromised.” Iksanov says Filin would pull dancers out of roles he felt they were unable to perform properly.

Several stars at the Bolshoi have complained about what they call Filin’s unfair treatment of dancers.