Guilty: Russian punk band Pussy Riot face three years hard labor after being convicted of hooliganism

Aug 17, 2012 - 09:37
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Guilty: Russian punk band Pussy Riot face three years hard labor after being convicted of hooliganism
Pussy Riot punk band members jailed for 2 years by Russian court for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred

The three members of punk band Pussy Riot who staged a protest against Russian President Vladimir Putin in a church have been sentenced to two years in jail by a Moscow court.

Sitting together inside a glass-walled cage Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, smiled as the guilty verdict was read out.

Judge Marina Syrova said the three band members had 'carefully planned' their February 21 action inside the Christ the Saviour Cathedral and that they 'expressed no repentance' and 'offended the feelings of believers.'

\"Time

Time to reflect: The Pussy Riot band members show the court's written verdict as they sit in a glass cage surrounded by the world's media

The three women - two of whom have children - have said they were protesting against close ties between Putin and the Russian Orthodox church and did not intend to offend believers.

It was a heated scene outside the Moscow court and about 20 people were arrested during the judgement including former world chess champion Garry Kasparov, now an opposition political figure.

The crowd outside swelled to about 400 Pussy Riot supporters, with police trying to divide demonstrators into two groups.

\"Undaunted:

Undaunted: Sitting together, Yekaterina Samutsevich (left ), Maria Alyokhina (centre) and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova smiled as the guilty verdict was read out

\"The

The women, two of whom have young children, were charged with hooliganism connected to religious hatred but the case is widely seen as a waing that authorities will only tolerate opposition under tightly controlled conditions

 
\"On

On trial: The three women are escorted before the court hearing today in Moscow

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.