Russian punk band “Pussy Riot” convicted to two years in prison

During a  February show this year, feminist punk band “Pussy Riot” performed a 40 second “punk prayer” on the altar of Moscow’s Christ The Savior Cathedral and chanted “Mother Mary, drive Putin away!” in protest to Vladimir Putin’s close relationship with the Russian Orthodox Church. Two weeks later after a clip of their performance blew up online, all three band members were arrested and put in jail on charges of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”.

Their weeklong trial began in late July and has brought on serious concerns about free speech in Russia. During the court proceedings, the three members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30 were kept in a glass and metal cage while prosecutors accused them of inciting religious hatred and worshipping satan. They went as far as to compare the woman to  terrorists.

The court questioned 10 “victims” that that testified they were offended by the performance. Tolokonnikova told the court they were “Our goal was political protest in artistic form”, while Alyokhina said “I am not afraid of you. This so called court can deprive me of my freedom. No one can ever take my inner freedom away.”

The band faced up to seven years in prison. The  verdict was handed down today and the women were found them guilty being sentenced to two years in prison.

Many groups are calling for the conviction to be overturned as this puts into question free speech rights.

For video of the courtroom proceedings and the verdict click here.