Pussy Riot: The verdict is in
The Russian punk band have been charged with hooliganism...
The Hot Press Newsdesk, 17 Aug 2012
Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been jailed for two years after staging an anti-Vladimir Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral.
Judge Marina Syrova convicted the women of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, saying they had "crudely undermined social order".
The women say the protest, in February, was directed at the Russian Orthodox Church leader's support for Mr Putin.
The US, UK and EU all criticised the sentences as "disproportionate".
Prosecutors had been seeking a three-year jail sentence for the women.
Judge Syrova said Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, had offended the feelings of Orthodox believers and shown a "complete lack of respect".
"Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order," she said.
Worldwide protests took place yesterday in support of the punk band, including in Dublin where thirty protestors gathered at the Spire dressed in the trademark coloured balaclavas of the band and holding signs saying "Free Pussy Riot".
The dance, electronic artist Peaches created a song and video in support of the band that was released during the week, check it out here
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