'Pussy Riot' against Putin..!

[jackovesk]

Intellectuals urge Kremlin to free punks

June 28, 2012


Maria Alekhina, a member of the feminist punk band, Pussy Riot, in a cage in a district court in Moscow. Picture: AP


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Dozens of Russian intellectuals have signed an open letter calling on the Kremlin to release feminist punk rockers who face up to seven years in jail for staging a prank prayer against President Vladimir Putin.

Three members of the Pussy Riot band were arrested after their February prank prayer at Moscow's Christ the Savior cathedral, in which they asked Mother Mary to deliver Russia from Putin's return to the Kremlin for a third term.


Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of the feminist punk band, Pussy Riot, waves to supporters in Moscow's Tagansky district court. Picture: AP

The letter released today and signed by at least 112 writers, film stars and rock musicians says that the upcoming trial would divide Russian society.

Three of the band members are charged with "hooliganism", while Kremlin-controlled media lambasts them for "blasphemy" and disrespect to the Russian Orthodox Church, the country's largest.

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-1226410569609

PS - Putin should have known not to anger the 'Pussies'...

[conk]

Whew, thought this might be about feline anarchy. Nothing worse than a bunch of militant cats with attitude. Reow!

USA Republicans would have us call this band "Lady Parts Riot".

[Cartomancer]

It's a Pussy Riot!!!

[Tane Mahuta]

Nice one jack...had me fooled too..tsss! note the markings on the hand of the other member.

WoW!!..Cart'...you've got a lot of Pussys. I hope they're all neutered. Wouldn't want a Riot on our hands.


TM

[jackovesk]

***UPDATE***

Outrage as Pussy Riot members jailed

17 Aug 2012


The members of Pussy Riot await their fate in a glass cage inside a Moscow courtroom. The judge said in the verdict that the three band members "committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred''. Source: AP

A MOSCOW judge has sentenced each of three members of the provocative punk band Pussy Riot to two years in prison on hooliganism charges following a trial that has drawn international outrage.

The sentence comes amid a wave of protests around the world in support of the feminist rockers.

The judge said in the verdict that the three band members "committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred'' and offended religious believers.

As the judge handed down her sentence, cries of "shame" could be heard in the courtroom, according to media reports.

The three women, Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich, reportedly laughed in response to the judge's comments.

In chaotic scenes outside the court, hundreds of protesters - including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov - clashed with police.


Feminist Russian punk group Pussy Riot members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, centre, Maria Alekhina, right, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, are escorted to a glass cage to await the verdict. Source: AP
.
The supporters chanted "Russia without Putin!'' amid a heavy police presence.

The three women were arrested in March after an anti-Putin stunt in Moscow's main cathedral. They called for the Virgin Mary to protect Russia against Vladimir Putin.

The case is widely seen as a warning that authorities will tolerate opposition only under tightly controlled conditions.

Critics of the Kremlin see it as part of a crackdown on dissent as Mr Putin begins a new six-year term,


Russian riot police detain a supporter of all-girl punk band "Pussy Riot" outside court in Moscow. Source: AFP

It also underlines the vast influence of the Russian Orthodox Church. Although church and state are formally separate, the church identifies itself as the heart of Russian national identity and critics say its strength effectively makes it a quasi-state entity.

Protests timed to just before the verdict or soon afterwards were planned in more than three dozen cities worldwide.

Prosecutors have asked for three-year sentences, down from the possible seven-year maximum. Putin himself has said he hopes the sentencing is not "too severe''.

Celebrities including Paul McCartney, Madonna and Bjork have called for the performers to be freed.

The case has clouded Russia's reputation overseas and stoked the resentment of opposition partisans who have turned out in a series of big rallies since last winter.

It comes in the wake of several recently passed laws cracking down on opposition, including one that raised the fine for taking part in an unauthorised demonstrations by 150 times to 300,000 roubles (about $A8600).

Another measure requires non-government organisations that both engage in vaguely defined political activity and receive funding from abroad to register as "foreign agents''.

http://www.news.com.au/national/puss...-1226452955263

PS - A Leopard NEVER changes their 'Spots', do they Vladimir...

[bogeyman]

It was inevitable they would be found guilty, I think they knew that would be the case, whether pressure from the outside can help with early released I cannot say, but I doubt it. I hope more will take up the challenge, and carry on the work of this band, they must not be forgotten. The state does not like those that does not conform to state rules, and laws, corrupt or not.