Breaking News of the Day: Pussy Riot Gets 2 Years In Jail: Meanwhile in Russia: Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot each have been sentenced to two years in jail for an obscenity-laced performance at Moscow’s Christ The Savior cathedral in February in which they were so bold as to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The woman — Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23; Maria Alekhina, 24; and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29 — are made of tough stuff. As the verdict came down, and a shout of “Shame!” was heard in the courtroom, they just laughed.
Judge Marina Syrova convicted the women of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, saying they had “crudely undermined social order.” She cited three specific elements for finding the trio guilty:
- The choice and timing of venue.
- Their continued performance and resistance to be taken outside by security and cathedral parishioners.
- The defendants’ conduct and their accomplices afterwards.
Here’s the shocking performance that started it all.