Sir Paul McCartney joins top stars to support Pussy Riot punk girls

Published on 17/08/2012 00:00

Sir Paul McCartney has written to Russian rock act Pussy Riot telling them to “stay strong” as they await the verdict in their court case and saying he would do everything in his power to help.

He joins musicians, including Sting and Madonna, in publicly supporting the trio of women from the punk provocateur act who have been held behind bars for more than five months.

The women will hear today whether they will be imprisoned over their anti-president Vladimir Putin prank, which took place in Moscow’s main cathedral.

Ahead of the verdict, Sir Paul has written to the three expressing hope that the principle of free speech will be upheld.

He wrote: “Dear Nadya, Katya & Masha, I’m writing to show my support for you at this difficult time. I would like you to know that I very much hope the Russian authorities would support the principle of free speech for all their citizens and not feel that they have to punish you for your protest.”

Supporters around the world are expected to hold simultaneous demonstrations shortly before the court delivers its verdict today. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were arrested on charges of hooliganism.