Russian punk band, Pussy Riot, jail-term extended- face charges of hooliganism
The members of the Russian fem-punk rock band, Pussy Riot will be spending an additional 6 months in jail after a Moscow court’s ruling this week- creating outrage in the capital city.
Photo/ Игорь Мухин at ru.wikipedia
The three band members, Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Semutsevic were arrested in March and face charges of “extremist hooliganism” for allegedly staging an anti-Putin performance in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February according to the anti-censorship web site, Index on Censorship.
The Moscow Court’s ruling has been called “a theater of the absurd” by the girl’s attorney. They are now seeking President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill as witnesses in the case.
The chaos in the courtroom has been described by the defendants attorney as “hell” and the prosecution’s case was all over the place.
According to an RT report, Defense lawyer Violetta Volkova said that the prosecutors “believe that the recent murder of the Mufti was provoked by the actions of the defendants, which is why they must remain in custody.”
“Today’s decision only proves again that our role as defendants here is a pure formality,” said another lawyer, Mark Feigin. “It is not a process but a judicial reprisal.”
The defense said it had filed several motions to bring “experts” – including President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill – to testify before the court, but the motions were rejected.
“The patriarch has repeatedly spoken out about events in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. In addition to that, he was rector of the church and believers need to hear his opinion,” Feigin said. And Putin, Feigin claims, has a “decisive influence” on the court, which makes him a material witness to the case.
Both the Russian Orthodox Church and the executive branch deny influencing the case and say the court’s ruling is neutral and independent.
However, people on the streets of Moscow aren’t buying it. Supporters of the punk band say the girls are being targeted specifically for their anti-clerical and anti-government stance.
Pussy Riot, a 7-member punk bank known for their skimpy dresses and masks, were arrested for performing a song critical of Putin and the alleged corruption within the Russian Orthodox Church. The song was performed on the altar of Russia’s main cathedral.
The three girls face up to seven years in prison if convicted.
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cool name but what is with the stupid hats