Ombudsman slams Pussy Riot jailings

Russia’s human rights ombudsman has called the prison sentences handed down to three women from punk band Pussy Riot “excessive” and warned the case was igniting dangerous tensions in Russia.

Vladimir Lukin said he might even challenge the jailing of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich if their appeals fail.