The Bolshoi Ballet's artistic director Sergei Filin left a Moscow hospital on Monday morning to move to a German clinic for further treatment after he suffered serious eye damage in an acid attack, Russian television reported. Filin, wearing dark glasses and supported by his wife, left the hospital to fly to Germany, where he was set for his first medical examination later Monday. "I feel good, I would even say excellent. If only my eyes saw a bit better," Filin told journalists outside the hospital, describing his vision as "foggy and blurred."

The Bolshoi Ballet's artistic director was preparing Sunday to move to a German clinic from a Moscow hospital where he is recovering from an acid attack he blames on a colleague at the storied but bitterly divided troupe. The 42-year-old Sergei Filin has already undergone five operations on his eyes since being rushed to the emergency unit on January 17 after being splashed in the face with sulphuric acid by a masked assailant.

The Bolshoi Ballet's artistic director was preparing Sunday to move to a German clinic from a Moscow hospital where he is recovering from an acid attack he blames on a colleague at the storied but bitterly divided troupe. The 42-year-old Sergei Filin has already undergone three operations on his eyes since being rushed to the emergency unit on January 17 after being splashed in the face with acid by a masked assailant.

* Masked attacker threw acid in Sergei Filin's face * Surgery for burns, preparing for eye operation * Temporary replacement named at legendary Bolshoi Ballet * Victim wants to watch his three sons grow up By Steve Gutterman MOSCOW, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The Bolshoi Ballet's artistic director told a Russian newspaper he had received threats for more than a month before a masked attacker threw acid in his face last week but his request for protection was rebuffed.