08-17-12 04:02 PM - Post#677294    

Three members of Pussy Riot -- a Russian punk band and feminist collective that mocked Russian president Vladamir Putin during a "punk prayer" in a Moscow cathedral--have been found guilty of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in jail

Judge Marina Syrova announced the verdict from a district court in central Moscow, about two miles from the Christ the Saviour Cathedral where the guerrilla group performed its "flash" stunt.

The band members--Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30--were arrested on March 3, several weeks after the performance, and charged with "hooliganism." They've been in jail ever since.

Their trial drew enormous international interest, sparking catcalls from international free-speech advocates and spawning dozens of protests--including some that were reported on Twitter during the verdict and sentencing that involved an impromptu musical concert and some protests in public areas in Moscow and London.

Madonna, Bjork, Paul McCartney and Courtney Love were among a long list of musicians to come out in support of Pussy Riot, calling on the Russian government to set the band members free. Last week in Berlin, more than 400 people joined a protest led by electro-singer Peaches.

In one of the most extravagant displays," the Associated Press said, "Reykjavik Mayor Jon Gnarr rode through the streets of the Icelandic capital in a Gay Pride parade ... dressed like a band member--wearing a bright pink dress and matching balaclava--while lip-synching to one of Pussy Riot's songs."

What started as "a punk-infused political prank," London's Independent said, "has rapidly snowballed into one of the most notorious court cases in post-Soviet Russian history."

Five members of the group, which formed in 2011, were arrested in January after a video of a Putin-baiting performance in Moscow's Red Square circulated online. They were detained for several hours by police, fined and released, NPR said.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/russian -punk-b...

"I can see for miles and miles"

08-17-12 04:22 PM - Post#677295    

    In response to Mike

And all of that because they performed a (one) protest song in a church.
Hopefully the European Court of Human Rights can have another say in this, but who knows when or if that will happen

08-17-12 04:54 PM - Post#677302    

    In response to Farin

It reminds me of the dictatorships like when I lived in Spain in the early seventies, there was a little evil guy caled Franco. He was friends with H**ler, St***n and all the gang.
Russians have never been lucky with democracy. They had Tzars, then bolchevicks, then Stalinism and some years ago it looked like it was getting better.

Always took candy from strangers Originally registered September, 2004.

08-17-12 05:01 PM - Post#677303    

    In response to Farin

• Farin Said:

I was just reminded that they not even performed the *song* at that church, but only a pantomime / lip syncing, which was later mixed with music for the video

08-17-12 05:25 PM - Post#677306    

    In response to Farin

At least Putin can't pretend not to be a dictator who longs for the old Soviet days anymore. I wonder what the press about this looks like in Russia compared to here. I hope they're freed soon, but I wouldn't count on it.

Let all the children boogie

08-17-12 05:34 PM - Post#677308    

    In response to TheLizard

Hooligans the bunch of 'em...

"Catch a wave and you're sittin' on top of the world".

08-17-12 06:28 PM - Post#677312    

    In response to RonJonSurfer

Wow, if "hooliganism" was really a crime, I would have been in prison since I was seven!

My love for you is like a truck, Berzerker!

08-17-12 07:43 PM - Post#677321    

    In response to miamisammy29

That's why I laugh when people complain about the "Goverment", here in the USA. Try living in Russia, China,Syria or under that little toad in North Korea. That is true goverment oppression.

Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.

08-17-12 11:29 PM - Post#677346    

    In response to phil

Let my Pussy Riot run free!

Heaven: where you can listen to your favorite tunes forever without distractions.

Edited by Rayzor on 08-17-12 11:42 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.

08-18-12 03:53 PM - Post#677370    

    In response to phil

• phil Said:

They're "complaining" because they don't want the U.S. to slowly turn into another one of those govts. Besides, complaining is still a guaranteed right under the Constitution

The society that abolishes every adventure makes its own abolition the only possible adventure - Situationist graffiti slogan.

08-19-12 07:22 AM - Post#677376    

    In response to Ombre Vivante

Bitter, I strongly back Freedom of speech and thought.I am usually on the minority side of popular opinion. My point was don't compare problems in the USA, to the oppression of people in China, North Korea, Saudia Arabia, Russia, and many other countries. We have it easy compared to them.

Roll Over Beethoven and tell Tchaikovsky the news.