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      Russian Judge Sets Date for Verdict in Controversial Rock Band Trial

   by Jessica Golloher

   MOSCOW -- A Moscow judge says she will issue a verdict in the
   controversial trial of three Russian feminist punk rockers on August
   17th. The three could spend up to seven years in jail if they are found
   guilty of hooliganism.
   Band members Nadezhda Tolokonnilkova, 22, Maria Alyokhnia, 24, and
   Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, are on trial accused of hooliganism
   motivated by religious hatred.
   Prosecutor's have asked the court for a three-year sentence for the
   band members of Pussy Riot for bursting into Moscow's main cathedral in
   February and singing a "punk prayer" against Russian leader Vladimir
   Putin and Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who at the time was urging
   Russians to vote for Putin in the country's presidential election.
   The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years and lawyers for the
   women say a guilty verdict is a foregone conclusion. Last week
   President Putin criticized the Pussy Riot stunt, but asked the women
   not be judged "too harshly," further evidence the women's lawyers say
   of an inevitable guilty verdict.
   Speaking during closing arguments Wednesday, lawyer Mark Feigin said
   the punk protest was a political act and should not be judged in a
   criminal court.
   Feigin says the protest was a political manifesto against a
   totalitarian state, Vladimir Putin, and a discriminatory system that
   denies justice. He says his clients have not groveled in front of the
   court or pleaded for mercy or said anything that could be
   misinterpreted as remorse.
   The bandmembers pleaded not guilty to the charges, but apologized to
   Orthodox believers saying they did not intend to offend anyone, but
   wanted to protest Russia's political system and elections that many
   international observers described as flawed.
   Speaking in court Wednesday Nadezhda Tolokonnilkova said she and her
   bandmates wanted more "freedom than those in the prosecution" and that
   they should be allowed to say what they want.
   She says she and her bandmates are also good people.
   There is growing criticism of the trial. Russia's opposition has
   promised protests if the women receive a guilty verdict, despite the
   threat of jail time and fines for unsanctioned protests that have
   recently been increased by 150-fold in some cases, amounting to more
   than the annual income for an average Russian.
   Musicians around the world are also protesting.  Tuesday pop singer
   Madonna performed a Moscow concert with the name of the band "Pussy
   Riot" displayed on her back, and also wore a balaclava similar to the
   colorful ones worn by the band.
   On Wednesday about a dozen demonstrators protested outside the Moscow
   courthouse and at least three were detained by authorities.
   Watch related video of trial
   ''
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/punk_band_trial_ends_in_moscow/1476394.html