Pop icon Madonna shows support for Russian punk band Pussy Riot

MEMBERS of a Russian punk band on trial for a political stunt following the election of Vladamir Putin have been backed by Madonna.

• Madonna has “Pussy Riot” written in ink on her back at Russian show

• Pussy Riot singers face up to seven years in jail as judge calls an end to proceedings

The three women - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23; Maria Alekhina, 24; and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29 - high-kicked and danced as they belted out their “punk prayer” in Christ the Savior Cathedral in February.

The three now face seven years in jail in a case that has outraged human rights groups.

Madonna voiced support for Pussy Riot at a Tuesday night concert in Moscow, saying she’d “pray for them.” She then turned her bare back, which had “Pussy Riot” written on it, to the audience and put on the black mask, the band’s symbol.

She went on to sing her 1990s hit, “Human Nature.”

A Moscow judge today wrapped up the trial.

One the closing day, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, told prosecutors that the “political system is scared of the truth” as defence lawyer said the Krelim has all but found the band guilty already.

Prosecutors have called for three-year prison sentences for the Pussy Riot band members, who have already been in custody for five months.

They were charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

The judge in the case said yesterday that she would issue a verdict in the controversial case next week.

Tolokonnikova, dressed in jeans and a blue T-shirt, speaking in a trembling voice, told prosecutors: “We have more freedom than all those people from the prosecution in front of me - because we can say what we want.”

“With every day an increasing number of people start to realize that if the political machine turned against girls who performed in the Christ the Savior Cathedral for 40 seconds, this means only that this political system is scared of the truth and the sincerity that we bring.”

Putin last week criticized the Pussy Riot stunt, but said they should not be judged too harshly. Defence lawyer Nikolai Polozov said yesterday that Putin’s remarks indicated that “he virtually has found them guilty already and only meant to say that the court’s punishment shouldn’t be too harsh.”

Violetta Volkova, another defence lawyer, said an acquittal “would be the only chance for the judge to save face - not only for her, but for the entire Russian political system.”

Stanislav Samutsevich, the father of one of the defendants, voiced concern that the women’s anti-Putin rhetoric might have antagonized the judge.

Activists around the world are being urged show their solidarity with the band by holding a global protest on 17 August, the day Judge Marina Syrova is to issue her verdict. .

Amnesty International has called the women prisoners of conscience. Musicians including Madonna, the Who’s Pete Townsend and Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys have urged their release.