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Subscribe to RSSThree members of the Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot remain in jail after a performance in protest of Vladimir Putin in a Moscow cathedral. NBC's Michelle Kosinski reports.
Updated at 11:29 a.m. ET: MOSCOW -- A judge sentenced three women who staged an anti-Kremlin protest on the altar of Moscow's main Russian Orthodox church to two years in jail each on Friday in a trial seen as test of President Vladimir Putin's tolerance of dissent.
The trio from punk band Pussy Riot, handcuffed in a courtroom cage, reacted with giggles and one rolled her eyes when the judge issued the sentences after reading the guilty verdict for almost three hours.
A man in the courtroom shouted "Shame!" and hundreds of protesters outside the Moscow courthouse repeated that chant and whistled when news of the sentence came.
"They are in jail because it is Putin's personal revenge," opposition leader Alexei Navalny said in the courtroom. "This verdict was written by Vladimir Putin."
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for performing a "punk prayer" in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral. They called on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin.
Their feminist punk collective has about 10 members who appear in public in ski masks for anonymous impromptu performances they describe as a form of protest art.
The defendants said they were protesting against close ties between Putin and the Russian Orthodox church and did not intend to offend believers, but the judge rejected those arguments.
The U.S. Embassy in Russia criticized the sentences.
"Today's sentence in the Pussy Riot case looks disproportionate to the actions," the U.S. Embassy in Russia wrote in Russian on Friday on its Twitter microblog.
Pussy Riot supporters protest at Russian cathedral as global campaign heats up
Prosecutors had requested three-year sentences. The two-year sentences include the nearly six months served since the defendants were jailed following the Feb. 21 protest.
Natalia Kolesnikova / AFP - Getty Images
Members of the punk band Pussy Riot -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, center, Maria Alyokhina, right, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, left -- are escorted Friday by policewomen inside a Moscow court building.
In a sign of the tension over the trial in a small Moscow courtroom, Judge Marina Syrova was assigned bodyguards on Thursday following what authorities said were threats.
Divisions
The trial divided Russia's Orthodox Christians, with many backing the authorities' demands for severe punishment, but others saying the women should be granted clemency.
The trial featured a parade of state witnesses who say they were traumatized by the church performance, which prosecutors called an abuse of God.
Russia's Pussy Riot: Unmasked and on trial
Ahead of the verdict, their lawyers said the outcome will be dictated by the Kremlin. Putin's supporters denied that and portrayed the women as blasphemers and self-publicists who should be punished for committing a premeditated outrage against the Church.
Members of Pussy Riot were found guilty Friday after staging this protest on Feb. 21, 2012, inside Christ The Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
"It was a conscious deed. They understood quite clearly where they were going and why," said Vladimir Burmatov, who represents Putin's United Russia party in parliament.
Pussy Riot was formed last year in anger at Putin's decision to return to the presidency in an election after four years as premier. The band's public performances were popular on the Internet, but it is the trial that has brought them global fame.
The charges against them raised concern abroad about freedom of speech in Russia two decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Pop star Madonna has joined the chorus of criticism over the trial of a Russian women's punk band accused of religious hatred. The three women face years in jail after mounting a protest against Vladimir Putin on the altar of the country's main cathedral. It's part of a widening government crackdown on dissent. ITV's Paul Davies reports.
Small, but raucous protests were held Friday in a few dozen cities in support of the three women. A few dozen people came out in Barcelona, Spain, a couple hundred in Paris, and a handful in Washington. Other rallies were held in Bulgaria, Ukraine and elsewhere.
More Russia coverage from NBCNews.com
The opposition says Putin saw the trial initially as a chance to strengthen his relationship with the influential Russian Orthodox Church -- about 70 percent of Russians say they follow the faith -- but his plans backfired.
Although believers were united in outrage that the band thrashed out a "punk prayer" deriding Putin in a place they consider sacrosanct, many were upset by the Church hierarchy's lack of forgiveness and calls for "divine retribution."
From March 2012: Anti-Putin activists pay high price, but refuse to back down
Many Russians, including some of the Orthodox faithful, are concerned about ties between church and state under Patriarch Kirill, who has praised Putin's rule as a "miracle of God."
Aware that a long sentence could reinforce the picture Pussy Riot has painted of him as intolerant and repressive, Putin told reporters this month that although the women had done "nothing good," they should not be judged too harshly.
But the damage to Putin's image abroad has already been done, and divisions between his supporters and opponents have widened, risking polarizing society even more than when protests took off against his 12-year-rule during the winter.
Complete World news coverage on NBCNews.com
In moves seen by the opposition as a crackdown, parliament has recently rushed through laws increasing fines for protesters, tightening controls on the Internet -- which is used to arrange protests -- and imposing stricter rules on defamation.
Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Perhaps all the Occupy Anyplacers could relocate to Russia for a learning experience?
they would be imprisoned in Russia and either starve or eat rotten potatoes
Wow you sound like such a freedom loving guy. I'll bet your one of those America hating commie republicans. you suck.
Anyone wanna be in my boy band its called "sausage festival"?
@george pauljohn
zakly, u nailed it
Okay Vladimir or is it Stalin? If people don't agree with you, do you kill them, humiliate them or simply hate them and let your hatred eat you alive from the inside out?
Try to do the same kind of a stunt in a National Cathedral in Washington DC and see what happens.
They won't need to relocate to Russia if the Republican party wins the election.
.....and coming to America soon. If Obama get re-elected free speech in America is going the way of the dodo bird.
See the movie 2016, Obama's America. Lefties like to say the facts in this documentary out now in theaters have been disproved. You CAN'T disprove FACTS. Facts are facts and they can't be changed. If Obama gets re-elected we are going to have another Putin on our hands....... someone who never goes away.
Romney/Ryan 2012
@Max^108
(hopefully) no conviction after arrest, or at least a fair trial! good comment
During Communism, British miners went on strike. Margaret Thatcher sent a group of them to tour some mines in Warsaw Pact countries.
When the miners returned to Britain, they immediately stopped their strike.
But didn't george bush look into his eyes and see putin's soul?
Putin is a Republican!
HAHA @ george pauljohn... commie republicans.... why don't you wear your ignorance on your sleeve! HAHA that would be an oxyMORON.
What an absolute dumbass comment.
Wow temp, are you saying you want America to be more like Russia?
A Pussy Riot is needed. Things need to crack open and be exposed, Madonna has been scratching and trying for an exose' before it was gray. I support the pussy.
@George Pauljohn "----commie republicans------"
Morons, oxy- and otherwise, abound.
@jakester
cuming to a stage near u: headliner Pussy Riot with warmup band Sausage Festival
Do you actually think that if a band , any band stormed into any church in this country that they would not be arrested ? Give me a break people. If these girls had stayed outside the church or protested infrom of the Krimlin then I would say they should be freed. To tresspass into that church for thier little Madonna escapade was wrong. Modonna is very lucky she hasn't been locked up in some forgien country for some of the stunts she has pulled.
cover up the sausage fest the preist have in the basement.
@Georgie - one thing that never goes away here in US: two party system full of crooks and special interest whores. Russia spends on defense less than 10% of what we spend. Why? Because here in US people are brainwashed by crooked politicians working for the military industrial complex into thinking we need to blow all this money on defense. What do we get in return? We continue to bury our best young men and women coming back in coffins from pointless battlefields in pointless wars. Yes, criticize Russia for jailing cute punk rocker chicks while our crooks in Washington continue to waste money and lives with absolutely nothing to show for.
This is the republiClown dream. Romney's utopia. Today Russia, tomorrow Amerika!
Quick question. Do you construct your tinfoil hat from Reynold's Wrap, or generic brand? I prefer Reynold's, it holds its shape better.
Also, do you go tri-corner pirate style, or viking? Just curious...
No, THAT was a dumbass comment. You said the same bullsh*t 4 years ago, you and the other fearmongers. "The negro is gonna take my guns!" "The negro is gonna set up FEMA internment camps"" "The negro is gonna repeal the First Amendment!"
4 year later. Still got my guns. Still a whole lot of racist Obama haters walking around free, while Still mouthing off with stupid comments as is their right. When exactly was this Fourth Reich supposed to begin?
Well one certainty. He went for the full face version but forgot to add air holes.
Max: The ONLY thing our Federal Government should be doing is protecting it's citizens. They have over reached in every aspect of our lives and that is not how our founding fathers set this country up. Obama is dismantling our military and leaving us weak in the world. Do we really want that? With all the countries in the world who hate us, do we really want that???I do agree with you however that our elected elitist politicians are nothing but crooks and self serving. Obama keeps telling us 'the rich need to pay more' yet his biggest supporters, Reid and Pelosi, have gotten rich from insider trading, a practice that we go to jail for. Would someone please ask Reid how he became a millionaire on a senator's salary. They are definitely crooks telling Americans how to live our lives. They are nothing but hypocrites and WE elect them.
"Russia spends on defense less than 10% of what we spend. Why?"
Because they're broke. That's why they'll sell any of their weapons for pennies on the dollar.
Georgie, these wars have nothing to do with protecting our country. Illegal aliens coming here through our southern border kill more people in a year than Muslims killed on 9/11. Yet we do nothing about that while we piss away close to 500 billions a year chasing bearded dudes in faraway places. That is defending our country? You have to be severely brainwashed to believe that. I served in Europe during the height of cold war and I know what the military is for.
@biggreenboo.... newsflash to you: WE ARE BROKE TOO! we fight these wars on money borrowed from China. Does that seem smart to you?
MixMan, BB, & George Pauljohn,
Republicans do not need to wear their ignorance on their sleeves... Not all, but alot of Democrats like you three, wear their ignorance on their sleeves enough for both parties...
TonIIIIIIIIIGHT, VEE are young......VEE set ze' vorld on fi'ya....
LOLOLOLOLOL
And the really ironic thing is that we “gave” all that money to China by buying all our stuff from them! D'oh =/
On it - I agree with you- I think we need a pussy riot here in America, however, I would love to have a lot more pussy and a little less riot.
Rock On Punk Rockers RAVING MAD and THE LONELY BONES
piece!
Chris - I hope you don't live to eat those words.
I can't decide what is hotter. The girls in Pussy Riot, or the female guards that are escorting them. Can't wait for the DVD to come out. "Pussy Riot in Chains!"
american women dont seem so bad.
Breaking News: this just out @ 9:05 am, CDT, Each Girl got two years to do in prison...
Avenger-2464988 - "Do you actually think that if a band, any band stormed into any church in this country that they would not be arrested ? Give me a break people."
Arrested, yes, sentenced to 2 years in jail, no. I don't think that you can reasonably compare the U.S. to Russia no matter how badly you think our government tramples on people's rights.
Sentencing in Russia is much harder than in US for all sorts of offenses. It is more like good old South in that respect.
"We're here illegally and we want you to know."
In breaking the law you become a criminal and are subject to punishment..."We want you to know."
"Our imprisonment is a clear and distinct sign that the whole country's freedom is being taken away," - This would be the freedom that no one in Russia even had before the Soviet Union dissolved... I'm not sure if that's irony or ignorance. Somebody help me out here.
@Max^108
They probably get arrested and fined, doubt that there would be any jail time, the Episcopalians are commie bastards.
I'm 39 years old and served 13 years in the Navy. Haven't regretted much I've said in that time.
Living in fear of something, is not living at all. If at some point I feel I'm losing rights I consider sacred, I will worry about taking action then. That's the major difference between the US and places like Russia. We can actually effect political change and it doesn't require an armed revolt like some bunker dwellers seem to think is coming.
On a side note, I am amused that they got away with saying
On a side note, I am amused that they got away with saying Pussy 13 times in a single article.
Putin will stay in power as long as the Russian mob has access to heroin from Afghanistan. (Where do you think it is going?)
Thanks to their invasion of Afghanistan, and our support in protecting the opium crop, heroin addiction is now a bigger problem in Russia than alcoholism.
Welcome to the world of Global Trade.
I'll rather see tempusfugit1 and his racist to the core retards of tea partiers, republicans go and see how Russia has now more democracy than us, and don't forget we proclaim to be "Christian and democratic." The problem with you people is that w/o belonging to the 1%, you act like you belong there, although I'm sure you are nothing but a hound dog living in a trailer trash where all your retards and racist live. Not only that, but being as broke as you are and trying to denigrate the 99% that is coming out batting for you, yes, believe it or not, makes you, in my book at least, not only a retard but also masochistic as well. Actually, do you want America, the real America to prosper once again? Yes? Well, get your asses to Russia right away. One problem though, I'm not sure they will even take you. Too damn dumb for even Russia. You're welcome!
No Nadezhda, only your freedom, for being an idiot....what goes around, comes around. I hope you grow up while in the Big House.....
The big question is this:
How many of you care enough about the freedom and rights of your species to proudly wear "Free Pussy Riot" t-shirts 24/7 for the whole week?
Wonder why neither reporter mentioned the name of the band.....
the people who support an anti-flag burning amendment here in the states are in line with those who led this group being jailed in russia. all forms of dissent against the government should be allowed in a free society. anyone who believes in the principles of individual liberty, what this country was founded upon, knows sedition is not possible ...
no george pauljohn, not "commie republicans", they're "nazi, fascist republicans",
the fascists support the corporations and the rich ruling your life with a gun to your head, the commies support the government ruling your life with a gun to your head
If it was free I would, no problem.
It's strange how dictatorial government officials and religious folk seem to have exactly the same sense of humor. I wonder what the sentence would have been in Kansas where pussy riots are said to be a daily occurrence.
erichjohn - it was dissent against the Church. It is the Church they disrespected.
All I can say is with a name like Putin he's very fortunate not to be from Latin America. It actually changes a noun into a verb.
Sure, they'd get arrested here. But the sentence would probably amount to a fine and community service.
The most telling thing is that the church was leading the charge to have the book thrown at them. Guess they don't go for the whole foregiveness/turning the other cheek thing over there, huh? I'd like to hope that most churches here would be asking the judge to go easy on them.
Most. Perhaps not all.
Send Hillary over, she'll be right in the middle of it.
The church in Russia is an offshoot of or controlled by the Russian government. That was the point Pussy Riot was trying to make as I understand it. When would a communist like Putin care about the "Abuse of God" except in the context that he is GOD!
i wonder if Russian women really did have a pussy riot and closed their legs till this band got released . would say they would be out in a week or two
Commie Republicans? What does that even mean? And opposed to what? Green nazi, fascist Democrats?
I am a woman, and if I were a Russian, I wouldn't do that. I think they got what they deserved.
If they'd done that to a Mosque here in this country they'd be charged with a Federal hate crime and be sentenced.
Of course if they'd done that to a Christian church in this country, it would be freedom of speech. They would never have seen the inside of a courtroom.
So, in other words, based on your post, you think that the same thing should happen here in the US (since as of now, in your estimation, such an act would not even land them in a court room)? I only ask because if you feel the laws of this country allow too much freedom in such matters, I think this story makes clear which country you may prefer living in.
Come on NBC Today's Censors, you cannot allow your staff to say "Pussy Riot" on-air. Come on.
The FCC allows "dick" on the radio, why not "pussy" on the TV?
Keep an eye on Russia.....if we keep voting people like Obama in office, we'll be just like them.
m show.
"Hooliganism"? Sounds like they perpetrated some shenanigans. Seriously, It is starting to feel like pre-1991 in that part of the world. Surely, Putin would take that as a compliment (though it was not intended as such.) But then who are we to tell them whether freedom is a good thing. :-\
@Hal-2824511
true story! those hooligans were up to shenanigans - strange how Russia adopted medieval Irish lore! lost in translation for sure
Obama is so transparent. It's quite obvious that he's going to strip away all our constitutional rights during his second term. Just the fact that he's done absolutely nothing like that during his first term proves it.
Uh, yes he did. He extended the Patriot act during his first term. 'Nuff said.
Convicted hooligans in tights and SHORT SKIRTS? This is going to sell a lot of cds.
Do you actually think for a minute that the 1% is some how going to rule over and do whatever the heck they want to the 99% without the 99% eventually having dealt with enough of it and squashing the measly 1%? Governments have to play chess every single day. They have to take power slowly and with stealth. They know that should the people ever turn that they will be destroyed. Its happened over and over and over again throughout history and believe me, they read up on the history of humanity.
Each of the Girls just got sentenced, "Two Years each in Prison".
Or, you could grow up a little ....
Ever hear of Pussy Willow? Should that be censored too?
God forbid your children hear the word "pussy" ... who knows what they'll grow up to do ...
On a side note, anyone else think that one brunette is kind of hot? Why can't our American punk rock girls look like that? All I ever see is blue hair and face metal.
america has been pussified by political correctness and stunted by religion.
And dumbed down by Conservative right wing NUTS.
anyone else think Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is hot?
All of us are coming from pussy. Be real!
Hey, it looks like the Russian government almost treats its people worse than the US govermnent does.
Hahaha! The censorship by NBC's Today IS a riot.
Those Girls knew what they were getting in to, the smirk on the blonds face shows that she thinks she got off easy and when the time is up they will be a instant success, lots of money for little effort, international recognition, they will probably be released early to calm the political scene, they will go on a sold out international tour and their music wont have to be good just make some noise, they will be able to squat in any country they want, if Putin's government just slapped their hand and said don't do that they would not have that potential or publicity, so it looks as though in the long run this will work for them, and if they are Gay then its possible they might like a woman's prison, and as they have world attention they will be treated better then the average inmate. so maybe this is working out just the way they want it to, its a strange world isn't it. some people will do anything for money. then there are the movie rights, cause a little stink and you are set for life, the working class will keep them in the lap of luxury good plan!
To do what they did in a church in a country with such deep religious beliefs as Russia was just stupid. They basically guaranteed they would be arrested by barging into a church and staging this protest. The two year sentence may seem a little harsh by our standards, but is actually pretty lenient by Russian standards, even long before Putin came to power. What they did is seen by many in the Russian Orthodox religion as willfully desecrating the church and in Russia this gets you prison time. I am sure that if some group did the same thing here in the US they would be arrested. They might not get prison time, but they would definitely end up spending a day or two in jail and get hit with a large fine for trespassing and possibly illegal assembly. If this group had held their protest out in the street the odds are that they would not be facing prison time. The real offense was doing this inside a church that is considered one of the most holy sites in the Russian Orthodox religion. It is the equivalent of some group storming into the National Cathedral in DC or St. Peters in the Vatican and holding a protest.
Totalitarianism using old-time religion as an excuse to punish free speech? Gee, aren't we glad we live in the U. S., where there's no possibility whatsoever of something like that!
By the way, if "pussy" offends you, just call the band "Vagina Riot."
Right...because when the Democrats had two whole years to do whatever they wanted they took so many of your rights away while doing nothing to fix anything but whenever people do nothing to fix the problems they're guaranteed re-election which is why he did nothing...he knew he'd get re-elected that way so that he could take all of your freedoms away, right? Just like he did when he had two years to do anything he wanted. You've got it all figured out, alright. Must be your smarts because you're obviously quite bright.
D-Buck, you obviously don't understand the notion of punk rock, nor free speech it seems. Not everyone is about the dollar.
I'm seeing a pattern here with the USA's condemnation of other countries.
Only the United States is allowed to unjustly punish and imprison people.
Only the United States is allowed to torture people.
Only the United States is allowed to discriminate against groups of people.
Only the United States is allowed to restrict free speech when they feel like it.
theres an agenda.presidents dont matter.the supreme court,just us dept dont matter.its about total control.we are one pen stroke away from marshal law.and suspension of the constitution and the bill of rights.say a financial collapse,thats all it would take.game over.
Chad, so nice to know we have you to decide what is appropriate for the upcoming generations of children to see and hear.
We can see how much better the social situation has gotten due to the rejection of traditions of every sort, the disposal of morals and children being exposed to worldly influences via entertainment....
@Con-science
Yeah, we've been hearing about this same boogeyman since Elvis and The Beatles.
It is nice, actually ... knowing that there are still people (like myself) who rather enjoy the intricate beauties of language and aren't afraid of using its more colorful palettes as a means of expression and point-facilitation. What isn't nice, however, are cynics like you who can't even get past the trivialities of the word "Pussy", let alone comprehend the significance of the word "Riot".
Oh, is this where we hear about how we've lost god, sold our souls, etc?
Funny, that's exactly the type of coverage being transmitted through the Russian national airwaves.
"When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in the flag and waving a cross."
praised Putin's rule as a "miracle of God."
Pretty much sounds like what quite a few politicians in the US believe themselves to be. But whenever I hear about politicians that talk about how religious they are or how they try to gain support by aligning themselves with churches I always think of this scripture:
Matthew 7:22, 23
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
praised Putin's rule as a "miracle of God."
and we thought that only the USA had the chosen one, the messiah to lead us!!
What a Marxist way promote political leadership!!
boring joe,
Funny how the wingnuts on the far right are the ones that have always considered the US leader as the "messiah". You fools own that one.
When you start letting the government, ANY GOVERNMENT, decide that certain forms of expression constitute "hate speech", then you will have this sort of thing. We are very close to having the same thing here.
D Buck-2239568
#3.17 ?
Majorly great post.
I see your point and you are totally right. Other countries should be allowed to unjustly imprison, torture,discriminate against and limit free speech.
I suppose since the US is a totalitarian dictatorship, they should approve when other governments do those things.
I got charged with 3 counts of hooliganism, 2 counts of tom foolery and multiple counts of aggravated shennaigans with intent to commit high jynx. I had a good lawyer though. I plead down to 1 count of general roguishness in exchange for my testimony against the Jenkins brothers for their part in a horseplay ring that resulted in countless incidents of hanky panky. Hanky panky is serious. You get your name put on a list for hanky panky.
Seperation of powers. Good reasons for it. Russia never learns.
@ Rhazes
I don't see his point. Enemy combatants are not the same thing as citizen conducting peaceful civil disobedience.
Dear Comrade Putin, I hope this kills both the EU and WTO applications for years to come.
Just shows how dumb the government in russia is. They could of protested in the cathedral, got limited coverage for their act and no one but a few fans would give a crap while they remain an obscure rock band. Now theyre world famous, their message was given a platform and if they survive prison they'll have a nice payday waiting for them. So all in all, a major FAIL by Putin n friends.
I stopped reading when some blithering idiot started blithering about "99%" and "1%"
Pistol Instructor, Very funny and creative.
Actually, I think "Putin" sounds pretty suggestive. Why not censor that word, too?
Funny that NBC Today would censor in a story about freedom of expression! And they wonder why they are losing audience.
@Michelle-1642372
I literally couldn't help it. =D
@Den O'Synn: So, in the 3 1/2 years that Obama has been in office, exactly which rights has he taken away from us? Can't think of any? Didn't think so.
Whats wrong with these people. They knew that their actions would have grave consequences. It was for publicity nothing more. Poor judgment. I think they got off light considering location and country. Pussy Riot what a joke. I imagine there will be a riot of that sorts where they are going.
Back in the USSR...authoritarian as ever.
Pistol Instructor: you are a riot...you are responsible for several gaffaws, a snort and a bevy of twitterings.
Sophia called her daughter Dorothy "pussycat" on the Golden Girls. Several years ago and on NBC. This, too, is just a name. What is the difference?
Am I the only one that thinks they deserve at least 2 years for doing a dirty dance in a church? I remember when those in churches were murdered for just being there. Do your protesting in the streets. And I am ashamed of those who are in the music world, sticking up for these sleeze girls.
Yes.
Congratulations, I was beginning to wonder when the Christian-Taliban would make their presence known.
Pussy Riot. How do you say that in Russian?
Seriously, while their mode of protest was beyond the pale, invading a church, etc., I'd say 3 years is excessive. Fine them for disorderly conduct and be done with it.
I do like the name. It says so much, so simply.
excessive in Russia and Putin's commie rule, Russia is again the USSR
in Russian: "Pussy Riot" they speak english
I agree I'm all for ones right to protest but doing so in the middle of someones church service is in poor taste. That being said three years is a crazy long time and I'm sure they don't do what we do here and make someone service like a quarter or third of their time. I think they should get like disorderly conduct and time served or something close to that. They are kids, at least most of them are.
Kangfooo, that kid in the middle looks about the same age as my 15 yr old...you'll get more time then these girls deserve if you are screwing with girls this young looking.
That being said I do think is an awesome name foe a band. Has anyone checked them out on you tube?? I'm going there next. I am a fan of old school punk. I wonder what their sound is.
Putin and Bush where of the same mind set. notice how right wingers show no compassion for these kids and side with mr. KGB himself, Remember Russia is a "republic" and republicans want America to be a republic. china and Iran are republics, so is Cuba and North Korea, So children, now do you understand what republicans are all about?
"Pussy Riot" would sound something like "Bount p'ozd" in Russian, buddy
Dawn -
22, 24, 30 years old. When most teens want to be treated as adults, how are these kids? ACA?
In the native script would then be a "Взбунтовавшаяся пизда" or "Бунт пёзд" you can say it either way
dman, I live in a former Communist country. You obviously don't know the mentality of these new Capitalists.
A fine? Pussy Riot's revenues have surely grown significantly during this circus. People with money in former Communist countries **LOVE** to pay fines as a display of their arrogance.
Give Pussy Riot jail time. The issue is NOT dissent against Putin. The real issue IS...do you want every untalented idiot who missed his/her chance to appear on "Russian Idol" to start performing in Christ the Savior Cathedral?
accuatally george, the Untied States HAS been a republic since it's inception, and Putin is a hard line Leftest who wants to bring back Communisum to Russia. China is a Democratic Peoples Republic which is far diffrent then a true Republic. Iran calls itself a republic but is far from, with no real second party and an islamic hard liner Ayatollah as "supreme leader" who has overall control of the government. So next time you want to try to school someone get your facts straight.
If convicted they better pray for 3 years. They could face seven years according to the article.
george pauljohn,
For your information, America is a republic, always has been. And by the way, where did you get that Republicans have no compassion for these girls? Another Leftist troll obviously.
The three-year sentence is considerably LOWER than what people originally thought they'd get - more like 20 years, and if the conviction had been for any kind of treason, well....
MPA... Anyone is a kid under age 55, and a punk under age 60. In Russia a punk under age 80.
In Soviet Russia, pussy riots you!
Unbelieveable sick. Putin was put there for a reason, the crack down on the 99% slaves is coming. Putin, Bush, Obama, Romney, is any thinking person so niave as to believe there is any diffreence in these D- bags?
2 years in prison for this? I hope the Russinas revolt in the streets, but they are too beaten down for that and the good ole' USA is right behind them.
Well Ranman87, you won this round of soviet russian reversal jokes.
You said it Greg-1998220. I agree with all that you wrote. These girls should be given a warning, nothing else. A sentence of two years is way too excessive and Putin; the real criminal, needs to go.
These girls are just trouble makers and Putin has played right into their hands, if he was smart he would have convinced the judge to go extremely lenient with them and keep this simple, but then again this type of trouble maker would just do it again causing more descent. I don't like Putin at all, and I don't agree with what those girls do to get attention, I hope it backfires on both sides and people just forget it happened and we never hear any more about it but that wont be the case these girls will become wealthy over this, if they haven't already. its all about money and the lengths people will go to get it, at the expense of others.
For those that are condeming the "poor taste": This is exactly the point.. if they didn't do this in the church the connection would not be obvious. Being "beyond pale" is sometimes necessary to make the point.
Back in the USSR! "Moscow girls leave the west behind." Seriously do you know how the secret police operate against dissidents? This may seem amusing but the reality of pissing off people in charge can bring a world of grief to yourself and those around you.
Yeah, the Cathedral could make a mint letting the place be used on Wednesdays as a punk revivalist fest-offs...go capitalism!@!$%# yeah!
It's not even remotely going to happen, nor was it ever intended to...that's a weak excuse to jail them.
Not just in Russia but anywhere. See above. Seattle?
i wonder if Russian women really did have a pussy riot and closed their legs till this band got released . would say they would be out in a week or two
Maybe we should be as hard on congress for the horrible comments that they have made about president Obama... Toss them all in jail, they aren't doing anything about jobs, so what good are they?
Free speech in America... Boy we really do take it for granted...
Just be glad they did not dance in a mosque in Kabul. They would have been stoned to death or worse.
Oh ain't that a danger, huhum.
If they don't lock these girls up, people will running to stage a mock ritual in Christ the Savior Cathedral. Bound to happen.
I've never been been to Russia. Are people really so starved for entertainment?
Oussy Riot rules! %&@# Putin and his oligarchy!
opps... Pussy Riot rules! %&@# Putin and his oligarchy!
In Mother Russia, government punks band.
In his book "Animal Farm," George Orwell predicted exactly this type of activity for "Mother Russia," where the new leaders are exactly like the old leaders, the Russian Orthodox Church is co-opted by the state, there is no free speech and the peasants get crushed.
Nothing has changed in the 100 years since the first revolution except the names of the players at the top. Now instead of a Czar, the Russians have a President.
Well, maybe a little change. In the old days, these girls might have just been taken out and shot, now its just jail time.
yeah and the US has 42 Obama appointed Czars and an idiot as President. In his Second Term, Obama will change his name to "THE CZAR" and Putin will kiss his azz!
Obama has 43, under Bush there werer 49. It's okay to be stupid, Nobama...you can't help it, you were born that way, but try not to be ridiculously fuc*ing stupid.
Can you really be arrested in Russia for being a blasphemer? Can you be arrested for being an agnostic? What does hooliganism have to do with God, and show me the penal code for hooliganism. Somehow, God never springs to mind when I think of Russia.
Pussy Riot should have sought asylum in the Ecuador Embassy where Human Rights are respected and protected.
Its the other way around Obama will do all the kissing, Putin will just keep that silly grin on his face, Obama has already promised Putin that he will be more flexibleafter the elections, the clear meaning is if he did it now it would cost him the election. proving that Obama and his team are not on the side of the American people but stand for world government that is controlled by the UN and the UN is controlled by Russia and China, what we face in our up coming electionis more then who is going to be President. its a triaxis of world government, a common socialist rule.
Gee, sounds like Pennsylvania, where a man was charged with two felonies for holding up signs! You upset or offend the 1% and their puppet government will take you down.....
Great name. Love to see a "Pussy Riot"
Pussy Riot sounds like a Dyke fest, you may be disapointed.
And DBuck sounds suspiciously like D**chbag, which matches the comments.
Storming a church was probably not the best option...
understood. but Pussy Riot has not many options for freedom of speech in Putin's Russia
pussy in Russian = pizzda the I is pronounced like an e as in pizza
english = Pussy Riot even in ру́сский язы́к
Romney does it all the time
3 people hardly represents storming a church-unless they are packing AK-47s
Interesting that the Russian schills are collapsing the anti Putin comments and posting comments supporting Putin’s fascist rule. If we continue down the path that the right wing evangelicals want to lead us we will be facing the same kind of theocratic BS that Putin has installed using the Russian church.
What's so funny is the fact that these young people have nade a conscious DECISION to invade on other people right to religious freedom and yet we read comments that support, make fun, degraded our President and country's constitutional rights, and interfere in other people rules and regulation, but when other country do this to us we are upset because they interfere in AMERICA's business. This is a prime example of our young people getting away with making decisions and not owning up to their consequences. When are the MATURE adults wake up and start guiding our young to responsibilities???!!!
What amazes me in reading some of these post is that the Liberal Socialist Democrats love to refer to the Republicans as Communist when in fact it is the complete opposite, one side The Republicans believe in hard work and some degree of self discipline and that a person should get some reward for their hard work, while the Socialist Democrats want to be given their rewards based on the work of others and they want it now, and don't think any discipline or work should have anything to do with their desire to just run wild and out of control. their philosophy sucks someone has to do the work.
That is exactly why the USA does not have a Federally sponsored church..
The king of England did, everyone paid taxes to the Church of England..
that made the colonist mad that had left England for religious reasons!!
More power to them. Putin should be removed !
easy to say, but impossible to accomplish in the old Russia
you couldn't find Russia on a map of Europe. just parroting what you hear other say.
Three years for non-violent political protest? Evil empire is still evil.
@Bill Billington
squawk... i live in Волгогра́д
Oh Bill... you have been owned!!! Could you find Russia on a map of Asia?
IMMATURE PEOPLE!!!! Grow up!!
I agree with DMAN...they should just get disorderly conduct and released. I don't like what they did in the church, but they were making a point about church and state. Everyone is tired of Putin. Russia has no laws. A woman can be raped and the person won't go to jail. They don't take that seriously. Politicians can pay off anyone and if you try to take one to court your entire family gets killed ect..No freedom there ect. My bf is from Moscow and he protest all the time for freedom. So all I got to say is, "PUSSY RIOT RULES" !
Russia is not USA and there is no right to a fair trial by your peers
USA doesnt give you a trial by your peers -- no you'll be judged by complete strangers who've been brainwashed by Fox News or some other bs.
Well that stinks Joe Buck... maybe you should stop watch/listening to them... read a book or something.
It does stink. It's why everyone is convicted and USA is the prison capital of the world. Its easy to convict complete strangers. But it's not how our system should work. We're supposed to be judged by people who know us.
Joe, no, the Constitution simply says a jury of your peers, meaning regular people, not the old world nobles. Where did you ever get that you should be judged by people you know?
"It's why everyone is convicted and USA is the prison capital of the world"
You sure it's not the rape, theft, drugs, and murder that gets them sent to prison... Have you been on a jury lately?
i'm sure the guy that drug his girl friend down 3 flights of stairs... into the woods and stabbed her 42 times then called it an accident really needed his friends on the jury... ... ... Oh now I see where you're going with this... Sarc. off
Joe,
Sounds like you have been 'Brainwashed' yourself, and to the liberal side... I like to keep my eyes open and do research on people who are going to have power over me and this country. This way I may vote for the member of the party that I believe will keep me, my country, and my rights intact. So far Barack has done nothing, to prove to me he has done or would do any of those things.
Everyone gets convicted - really?? John Edwards wasn't acquitted, Casey Anthony wasn't acquitted??? Jeez, get off your soapbox for a few minutes and read some headlines.
as a trial lawyer,you weed out people who can think.then you have an o.j jury.then your all set for american justice.
i think the word you want is "was".not wasnt.read headlines,just remember them.
Seriously biggreenboo? Of course you can go to jail for those things, but nowadays it is easier for someone to get convicted of them wrongly because we are so concerned with locking just anyone up as opposed to making sure we are locking the right person up. Joe does have a bit of a point there...
I'm tired of reading these comments from immature people. No wonder our youth are the way they are. "The apple doesn't fall....." see ya never!!
Don't worry Nflame... we locked up the right guy(and more)... reguardless of how much people think we are an "OJ jury".
But you still can't have your friends/piers as you jury if you're on trial... like Joe said.
He is incorrect. I agree with all of your comment up to "Joe does have a bit of a point."
O.J.Simpson was aquitted, then he thought he could do anything he wanted like go around beating up motorist, raiding hotel rooms, kidnapping people till finally we had enough of him, so what is your point Joe Buck, do you have a better system, I would like to hear it.
Its all in your lawyer and how much dirt he has on everyone at the trial. the defense defends you if you are guilty or not, the prosecutor prosecutes you if you are innocent or not, the facts mean nothing winning does, but how do you fix that flaw in the system, if you have money you might be able to buy your way out of trouble, but if you have no money you are screwed and you simply hope for the best. if your lawyer has some dirt on the prosecutor the ball is in your court, so hire the lawyer that supplies the coke to the other lawyers and the judge and you will win, its easy but that cost allot of money.
Joe had a bit of a point in saying what he said. Where in that sentence did I say "he is absolutely right"? I just said he had a bit of a point in what he said, and saying someone has a point does not automatically mean you agree with what they are claiming.
Putin.....retire you old fart ! Let some one else rule Russia. Maybe Russia could get some real laws for the people. People are tired of your Stalin a** ! FREEEEEDOM FOR RUUUUUSSIA !!!!!!!!!!
Easy (and safe) to say from Kentucky.
Show trial of the season. Stalin and others of his time are probably looking up from their places in hell, musing that in their day, they simply would have shot the girls. Well, what are you gonna do. The dictatorship goes on...
while funding Syria and Bashar regime with weapons and money
...
This is the tyranny that the OWS movement was working against.
Based on what we see this summer, the Obama administration has shut them down without the fanfare of a trial.
Osama / Biden in 2012.
...
hey dummy, republican mike, the mayor of new york did that...go fry an egg on you head.
So they're going to make a change at the convention? I guess Romney isn't the only "presumptive nominee".
""Osama / Biden in 2012""
Best slip of the day... and it's not even 9:30am yet.
If Obama had an uncle he would look like Osama.
No, if he had 'another' uncle he'd be living, illegally, here in MA.
It is very sad that the Russian people are allowing their leadership to return them to the dark days of the repressive Soviet regime. Of course, it all has to start with repressing freedom of speech and anyone that speaks out against the powers that be. And there is much to speak put against when you have a government, for example, that backs murders like Assad and the Iranian leadership. Hopefully this case will result in the opposite of what Putin hopes to achieve. The people of Russia should take to the streets and demand the release of these women. Why is Mr. Putin afraid of free speech?
right on!
If the citizens were well armed Putin wouldn't be so cocky.
Why don't protest in hospice? Claim u're against corruption and crap on smb. Insulting believers was the other aim of the action in cathedral.
I believe they went to a church to do this because they know that God loves freedom! That's why He gives each of us the freedom to love and obey Him - and be with Him forever, or the freedom to disobey Him and walk away from Him forever. Notice He didn't create us as puppets whom He *forces* to love Him! This group of girls inherently sense this and so chose an empathetic audience. Let the girls free to speak their minds - along with the rest of the Russian citizens. With freedom of speech, with freedom of religion, comes peace.
God may have given man free will, however, the religious institutions who claim to follow Him clearly disagree on that whole Freedom thing. But clearly religious orthodoxy knows better than God.
good comment
If Russia had a Guantanamo, Putin could just declare them Terrorist Sympathizers and be done with it. Having a Patriot Act for the Freedom & Democracy loving Russians wouldn't be a bad idea either. [This is Snark].
Gulag archipelago.
Guantanamo was built in remembrance of the Russian Gulag.
Siberia is the Guantanamo of Russia.
Putin. Always did think he looked a little "light in the loafers".
One can overstep their bounds in any situation. These renegade women overstepped theirs. Why do some people think it's an admirable gesture to step over the line and push the envelope. The punishment may be extensive, but where do you draw the line with people. They don't respect boundries or laws. The same goes for our OWS groups. Freedom of Speech is not the same as Freedom of Expression. Freedom of Speech wasn't put in place to protect people who commit treason and perform lawless expositions. It was put in place for the average person to feel safe speaking out negatively against a government...not performing crude acts on sacred ground.
Treason? You're crazy if you think protesting in a state church is the same as committing treason, but I would expect nothing less from a Christian mind.
"Why do some people think it's an admirable gesture to step over the line and push the envelope."
Uh duh, because that's how meaningful change usually comes about. Just a small list of people who dared to step over the line; Martin Luther King Jr, Rosa Parks, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, etc....
"Why do some people think it's an admirable gesture to step over the line and push the envelope."
Somewhere George Washington is rolling in his grave!!!
Enjoy your freedom while you still don't have to fight for it.
I think God is quite capable of handling people who u think have stepped over the line.
Oh, I don't know - the Boston Tea Party leaps to mind. The American Revolution leaps to mind. 'To protest repression and denial of basic human rights' leaps to mind. There's a lot of judgemental language in that post, fsupl5. Since when is a gov't-subsidized church "sacred ground?" Who gets to decide what constitutes a "crude act" on this so-called "sacred ground?" This is EXACTLY what the First Amendment was enacted to protect, pal. READ IT!
wow i guess the courts in russia are rigged just like here in america. anyone that speaks out against government pays the price, governments go after people like wikileaks and these girls.. this is another lesson to not question tyranny on this planet.little people can never win against a corrupt system..
These are some courageous women!
Absolutely, courageous women!!!
I thought courageous also... until i read they have children... then i thought selfish. But...
Several of our founding fathers paid dearly for standing up... so yes, I will agree, courageous. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. Maybe a long sentence will bring revolution to Russian... again.
Republicans are envious of the Russians. In USA women have a mind of their own. How proud would the GOP be when women were docile again? Lets probe them when they even think about abortion... Religious nutcases in Russia and in Utah and in Texas, everywhere realy.
@Santorum: your wet dream has come true: dungeoning women for being a woman. Back to your o so wanted 50's of 16th century.
Don't forget good ole Virginy Grinder... I can't wait to prob those sinners... ... ... Fool.
Too Funny...all the comments that say Freedom of Speech is not being honored in the case of this so called Band. First of all if you can actually play music and sound Great...you would not need to name yourself something that implies SEX...Second that so called band chose to step over the line when they showed up at the church to sing their songs of protest against Religious Beliefs. You want to protest or voice your opinions fine..But when yo choose to voice your Beliefs or as some of you out there want to call it Freedom of Speech and in doing so cross the line as this group has ...then they are wanting to take Freedom of Religion away from others...So is this Freedom of Speech ...Or Total Lack of Respect and Total Hate Of Others Beliefs...Religion is a personal Belief and way of life...And each person has a choice of how they choose to believe and that is how it should be. If these young women don't believe, then surround yourself with people who believe as you do and leave those who do not alone...and I think 3 years of Jail may just show them how the real world is! Maybe they can develop some actual talent while in there....
As if religious nut jobs don't protest, harass, and generally get in everybody's business. Lady, do you live in hole? I got these weirdo Christians coming to my door selling their hate religion. I see these same nutcases with their signs protesting bars, strip clubs, abortion clinics, funerals, etc. They pass laws making us all pray to and acknowledge their god. They say "this is a Christian Nation". You are a viscous human if you think putting someone in prison for 3 years is a just punishment for trespassing.
3 years for "hooliganism"? Interesting how the right trots out their morality in agreement with such an obviously political move by the christian KGB.
They weren't protesting religous beliefs you idiot, they were protesting the russian orthodox churches clos ties to a corrupt, brutal, dissent cracking dictatorship.
Perhaps you should go spend 3 years in jail for doing exactly what they were doing.
Only difference is you do it online. Get a life, God can deal with the rest of your issue.
Oh Buck stop it... What law did they pass to force us to pray?
One crazy statement does not erase a second.
Prayer in schools, Boo? One nation "under god" (added in the 1950's)? Buck got it right....
Sorry Blue... I'm no judge... but that's not a law.
Seems like a lot of people have missed the point.
It was not about religion, it was not about music, it was all about politics.
They were not protesting religious belief, they were protesting the government control of the church.
This is not the first time that Putin showed signs of behaving learning too much form his old boss Leonid Ilich Brezhnev, but this goes over the edge, that's why it seems to have finally provoked the public reaction.
Let's hope this reaction will be strong enough to make some real difference.
Pussy Riot ROCKS! I hope there is a Pussy Riot in every nation! I had thought Russia was increasing the freedoms of the people, but this is an eye-opener. They're becoming more like China every day... and the United States is becoming more like RUSSIA every day. The irony! Just imagine, a corporation-owned, iron-fisted communist country where the people receive nothing but oppression from their government...Romney-land. I'm going to start a band: "Cock Riot"... rush into a Mormon church and demand that Romney show her taxes for the past 12 years like her daddy did...
This is a return to the old days of KGB controlling the minds and hearts of Russian society. Putin is keeping in place the arcane inhuman system to dicatate what Russians can and cannot say. It is a return to fear of speaking out or expressing democracy in any way, shape or form. As long as the thug dictator remains in office, there is more to come in the near future. And no doubt there will definitely be a return to suppression of thoughts, freedoms and movement. The KGB is alive and well, welcome to the old Russia. Freedom does not exist with the arcane sentencing of Pussy Riot.
What they did is unacceptable behavior. Just because they are girls, doesn't give them the right to thumb their noses either at the Church or the government. I kept reading 'just kids' over and over again. 'Kids' hell. They are adults and should act the role. I believe the sentence is appropriate. Even though as an American, it is really none of my business.
In response to "Talk....' So what? Your a bigot by your statement.
The one on the right can find asylum in my bedroom