Russian Punk Band Pussy Riot had their day in court today, Friday August 17, 2012. They had already been found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for performing a Punk prayer in a Moscow Cathedral. The band consists of three girls, Nail Mustafin, mufti of Vologda. The plight of the young women has drawn condemnation from many across Russia and the World. They have also received support from celebrities such as Madonna.
Today each of the women received a two year jail sentence from the court.
Supporters and protesters gathered outside of the court as the sentences were made public. The majority of people do not believe that Pussy Riot have committed a crime. However the punk prayer which they sang voiced criticism of President Putin. This would have been unthinkable not so log ago. Even these days it is frowned upon.
Media speculation that the Russian authorities would go easy on the girls appears to have been unfounded. That said they could have received a seven year sentence. Two years in a Russian prison for signing a politically motivated song though is a nonsense. However by Russian standards it is not.
For political activists supporting the Band the publicity the case has attracted has been useful, to say the least.
Today each of the women received a two year jail sentence from the court.
Supporters and protesters gathered outside of the court as the sentences were made public. The majority of people do not believe that Pussy Riot have committed a crime. However the punk prayer which they sang voiced criticism of President Putin. This would have been unthinkable not so log ago. Even these days it is frowned upon.
Media speculation that the Russian authorities would go easy on the girls appears to have been unfounded. That said they could have received a seven year sentence. Two years in a Russian prison for signing a politically motivated song though is a nonsense. However by Russian standards it is not.
For political activists supporting the Band the publicity the case has attracted has been useful, to say the least.
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