On Friday, three members of a Russian punk rock band called Pussy Riots were sentenced to two years of prison for protesting against Russia's president Vladimir Putin in a Cathedral last February. Judge Marina Syrova said that the band members had "crudely undermined social order," and thus convicted under hooligan charges.
On February 21, Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, staged a performance at an orthodox Cathedral in which the three ladies asked the Virgin Mary to "throw out Putin," as reported by BBC News. The group was also critical of the Church head, Patriarch Kirill I for his support of Putin.
Patriach Krill said that their performance was disrespectful to the religion, offended the orthodox and was nothing short of blasphemy; judge Syrova agreed telling the court that the ladies showed a "complete lack of respect," as reported by the BBC News.
While the maximum sentence they could have received was three years, many were hopeful that the members would be given a minimum sentence, especially since Putin himself declared that he wished the judge would not punish them "too severely," as reported by New York Times. The band had gained a lot of support over the incident not just within Russia, but also in the international community. Madonna who toured in Moscow sported a black bra bearing the name "Pussy Riot," others from the international community have also shown support to the band members. With all the attention directed towards the band, the group's defense team was even hopeful for a possible acquittal. But the Judge shocked everyone by handing down a term much longer than was anticipated.
The announcement lead to a number of protestors gathered outside of the hearing chanting "Free Pussy Riot!" According to reports, the police have made some arrests.
Upon receiving the sentence, Pussy Riot member, Tolokonnikova, told the New York Times:
"To my deepest regret, this mock trial is close to the standards of the Stalinist troikas...Who is to blame for the performance at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and for our being put on trial after the concert? The authoritarian political system is to blame. What Pussy Riot does is oppositional art or politics...In any event, it is a form of civil action in circumstances where basic human rights, civil and political freedoms are suppressed."
