Tensions were  simmering  between Bolshoi ballet chief Sergei Filin and dancer Pavel Dmitrichenko – who is suspected of masterminding  an  acid attack on Filin.

That’s what former director general  Anatoly Iksanov told a Russian court today.

Filin lost most of the sight in one eye and 20 per cent in the other when an assailant threw acid in his face as he returned home on January 17th.

Former ballet star Dmitrichenko is on trial for allegedly organizing the attack, along with ex-convict Yuri Zarutsky, who is suspected of carrying out the attack.

Looking straight at Dmitrichenko, Iksanov dismissed the dancer’s claims that Filin had threatened staff and even extorted $100,000 from the troupe chief.

The star dancer has pleaded not guilty but has admitted “moral responsibility” for what happened to the ballet chief because he spoke badly of Filin in front of Zarutsky.

Dmitrichenko and Zarutsky could face 12 years in prison if convicted of collusion.