A court in Moscow has prolonged the arrest for the three Pussy Riot feminist punk band members till July 24 after they allegedly performed their “punk prayer” in Russia’s main church in February.
Ekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alehina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova will remain in detention for another month, the Tagansky court of Moscow ruled Wednesday.
Russian filmmakers, opposition activists, musicians, artists have gathered to express their support for the members of the Pussy Riot feminist punk band, as a court is considering prolonging their arrest.
Around 150 supporters have gathered in front of the Tagansky court in Moscow. Police have already detained five people.
The three girls charged with hooliganism have already spent 107 days in prison.
Prosecutors say they have found no motive in the girls' actions. The investigation was said to be completed two weeks ago.
Since March when the three girls were arrested Pussy Riot members have received widespread support at home and outside Russia. British filmmaker Terry Gilliam and Beastie Boys band member Adam Horovitz have expressed their support for the arrested girls. The human rights organization Amnesty International named the girls “prisoners of conscience.”
The Pussy Riot case is still a matter of pubic debate, with people arguing over whether the band’s actions should be qualified as a criminal or as an administrative offence. The girls may face up to seven years in prison if found guilty of hooliganism.
Comments (32)
T-Rex (unregistered) 24.06.2012 12:29
Undo
T (unregistered) 23.06.2012 16:22
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T (unregistered) 23.06.2012 16:08
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