Pussy Riot jailed for 2 years over hooliganism

By CRAIG BROWN
Published on 18/08/2012 00:14

THREE members of punk band Pussy Riot have each been sentenced to two years in prison on hooliganism charges.

• Protests taking place around the world in support of the feminist rockers

• Case shows ‘vast influence’ of Russian Orthodox Church

Three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot were sentenced to two years in prison on hooliganism charges yesterday following a trial that has drawn international outrage as a symbol of Moscow’s intolerance of dissent.

The trial sparked a wave of protests around the world last night in support of the feminist rockers, who have been dubbed prisoners of conscience by international human rights group.

Hundreds of Pussy Riot supporters chanted “Russia without Putin” amid a heavy police presence outside the courtroom, and several opposition leaders were detained.

The three women were arrested in March after an unauthorised performance in Moscow’s main cathedral, high-kicking and dancing while singing a “punk prayer” pleading to the Virgin Mary to save Russia from Vladimir Putin, who was elected to a third term as Russia’s president two weeks later.

Judge Marina Syrova said in her verdict that the three band members “committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred” and offended religious believers.

She rejected the women’s arguments that they were protesting at the Orthodox Church’s support for Mr Putin and did not want to hurt the feelings of believers.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich stood in handcuffs in a glass cage in the courtroom for three hours as the judge read the verdict. They smiled at the testimony of prosecution witnesses accusing them of sacrilege and “devilish dances” in church.

The three women remained calm after the judge announced the sentence. Someone in the courtroom shouted, “Shame.”

Celebrities including Paul McCartney, Madonna and Bjork joined an international campaign for the band members to be freed.

In the Russian capital yesterday, activists put the band’s trademark ski masks, or balaclavas, on several statues across town. Small, but raucous protests were held in a cities around the world, including London, Dublin, Barcelona, Spain, Paris, and Washington.

The charges carried the maximum penalty of seven years in prison, although prosecutors had asked for a three-year ­sentence.

Hopes had been raised that the three women would escape lightly, after Mr Putin himself had said he hoped they would not be judged too harshly.

Tolokonnikova’s husband, Pyotr Verzilov, said: “Russia’s image was quite scary even before [this]. What has happened now is a clear sign that Russia is moving towards becoming more like China or North Korea.”

On the street outside the courtroom, police rounded up a few dozen protesters, including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, who is a leading opposition activist, and leftist opposition group leader Sergei Udaltsov.

It was reported that Kasparov had been speaking with journalists when police pushed through to seize him. He was said to have been pushed roughly into a police van.

Amnesty International strongly condemned the court’s ruling, calling it a “bitter blow” for freedom of expression in Russia.