Russia
A lawyer for the jailed members of punk band Pussy Riot yesterday appealed against the three women’s conviction for a protest against Russian president Vladimir Putin at a church altar, but said he had little hope the verdict would be overturned.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova (22), Maria Alyokhina (24) and Yekaterina Samutsevich (30) were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after their February protest in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral.
The two-year prison sentences handed down to the activists for a “punk prayer” asking the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Mr Putin have drawn sharp criticism from western governments and
musicians who say they should not be jailed.
“If the court abides by the law it would throw out the verdict,” said defence lawyer Nikolai Polozov.
“But being realists, understanding all the efforts the state has put into this case, we think it’s unlikely the verdict will be overturned.” – (Reuters)
