August 17th, 2012
07:32 AM ET

Report: Pussy Riot band members found guilty of hooliganism

[Updated 7:32 a.m. ET] A court in Russia found three members of a punk rock band, Pussy Riot, guilty Friday on charges of hooliganism, Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported. The three women were brought to trial after they performed a song critical of President Vladimir Putin in a cathedral in Moscow.

[Posted 4:29 a.m. ET] A Russian court is due to give a verdict Friday in the trial of three members of the female punk rock band Pussy Riot, who face up to seven years in prison for performing a song critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Pussy Riot members were charged after screaming "Mother Mary please drive Putin away" during a concert inside Christ Savior Cathedral, one of Moscow's grandest houses of worship, in February.

Their action outraged many of Russia's faithful, but their trial on charges of hooliganism has prompted international concern about freedom of speech in Russia.

Madonna last week performed Pussy Riot-style in a face mask and with the group's name on her back during a packed Moscow gig.

"Everyone has the right to free speech, everywhere in the world. Maria, Katya, Nadia, I pray for you," Madonna said at Tuesday's concert, according to RIA Novosti. "They did something brave with their action. And I am praying for their freedom."

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Filed under: Crime • Justice • World
soundoff (72 Responses)
  1. banasy©

    Yeah, you may be right, but they'll still be sitting in prison...
    I just like the word "hooliganism".

    August 17, 2012 at 2:10 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Rascal Rabble

    well, these hooligans will definitely have time on their hands to learn the difference between reverence and blasphemy...

    August 17, 2012 at 7:23 pm | Report abuse |
  3. USAFrank

    People of Russia, United States and the World,
    The Russian Court imposing a 2 year sentence on these young girls for speaking out in a Church against Vladimir (The New Impaler) Putin and it blocking any efforts to intervene in Syria is proof that under Putin, Russia is now the EVIL EMPIRE 2.0.God only knows what Putin is having done throughout the rest of the country to dissidents that is not
    reported in the media. Russia is now being ruled ala KGB with a Stalinist Steel Fist camouflaged in a public relations velvet glove. Make no mistake; Russia is not a “Paper Bearâ€
    If necessary, the Russian Bear can still rip apart any opposition to it’s domestic or foreign policy endeavors.

    August 17, 2012 at 7:34 pm | Report abuse |
    • Portland tony

      These three women have proved, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that there is no such thing as bad PUBLICITY! 🙂 All the way to the bank.

      August 17, 2012 at 11:08 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Portland tony

    I wonder who does the translation from Russian to English for the group's name and the word hooliganism? I'm sure there are alternatives!

    August 17, 2012 at 10:36 pm | Report abuse |
  5. raven

    Hi all my blog pals! raven's here...let's get this riot started!!

    August 18, 2012 at 10:55 pm | Report abuse |
  6. raven

    Well,maybe not.

    August 18, 2012 at 10:56 pm | Report abuse |
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