The artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet says he asked for protection in December after receivingt threats. But he was refused.

Sergei Filin is recovering from an attack last week in which his face and eyes were burned with acid.

He says when he asked for protection, the Bolshoi’s General Director told him to “be brave and find the strength within yourself to not react to these threats.”

There are various theories as to what led to the attack on Filin. One is that it may have been in retaliation for his selection of certain dancers over others for prized roles.

He says there has been dissent in a company that has been allowed to grow too large.

Former Bolshoi Prima Ballerina Galina Stepanenko has stepped in to serve as acting artistic director.