Russian punk group Pussy Riot in Moscow court hearing

international | rights, freedoms and repression | news report Friday July 20, 2012 12:36 by Psycho Punk.

In Moscow a court has begun hearing the case of three feminist punk rockers who sang a protest song in Moscow's main Orthodox church.The trio are charged with hooliganism and could get seven years in prison.

The hearing, expected to set a trial start date, is being held behind closed doors while supporters and opponents of Pussy Riot demonstrate outside.The women were arrested in February after performing in Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

They have now spent 5 months in prison, and have been refused bail. Other band members who took part in the incident were not arrested.

The accusation speaks of "a malicious, carefully planned act to denigrate the feelings and beliefs of the many Orthodox Christian worshippers and to belittle the state's spiritual foundation".

President Putin does have a sense of humour and is unlikely to be upset at being lampooned in a punk song. Whats more worrying here is the Orthodox Church saying that the event should be treated more seriously because it took place inside a church. Normally this sort of incident would attract a maximum six month sentence (they have already spent 5 months on remand).

Freedom of expression should be defended and more importantly the Orthodox Church should not be above criticism.

Please go to the following link and send a (polite) message to President Putin asking him to intervene in this case to secure the release of the women and to pardon them if they are convicted.

http://eng.letters.kremlin.ru/