Despite calls for their release by the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, Sting and Bjork, three members of the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, have been sentenced to two years imprisonment.
Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, were found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred at Moscow’s Khamovnichesky Court earlier today (August 17).
The sentence follows an incident in February, which saw the band perform a “punk prayer” in Moscow’s Christ The Saviour Cathedral, in protest against the Russian Orthodox Church’s support of President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking at court today, Judge Marina Syrova said the women had “crudely undermined social order,” adding:
“The women were motivated by religious enmity and hatred, and acted provocatively and in an insulting manner inside a religious building in the presence of a large number of believers.”
A large number of Pussy Riot supporters have assembled at the court in Moscow, while protests are currently taking place outside the Russian Embassy in London.
The harsh sentence comes just a day after Sir Paul McCartney became the biggest star to join Pussy Riot’s campaign for freedom.
Writing on his website, McCartney said:
“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. Many people in the civilised world are allowed to voice their opinions and as long as they do not hurt anyone in doing so I believe this is the best way forward for all societies. I hope you can stay strong and believe that I and many others like me who believe in free speech will do everything in our power to support you and the idea of artistic freedom.”
A very sad day for free speech, indeed.
