Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                   Russia Faces Criticism over Band Sentence

   by VOA News

   Russia is facing mounting criticism of the two-year prison sentence for
   "hooliganism" given to members of an all-female punk band for their
   protest in an Orthodox cathedral.
   A judge handed down the sentence Friday for three members of the band
   Pussy Riot, prompting demonstrations in cities across the globe,
   including Moscow, London, Paris and New York.
   The women's legal team plans to appeal the verdict.
   The band members were arrested in March after performing a "punk
   prayer" in Moscow's main cathedral, pleading with the Virgin Mary to
   deliver Russia from Vladimir Putin, who was elected to a third term as
   Russia's president weeks after the protest.
   The Orthodox Church issued a statement Friday, calling on Russian
   authorities to show the women "mercy" within the framework of the law.

   The French news agency, AFP, reports that a telephone poll conducted by
   the Echo of Moscow radio station Saturday indicated 77 percent of
   listeners felt it was "impossible to agree with the verdict."
   The U.S. said the sentence was "disproportionate" and urged Russian
   authorities to review the case to ensure the right to freedom of
   expression is upheld.
   The European Union's top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, said the case adds
   to what she called a recent upsurge in politically motivated
   intimidation and prosecution of opposition activists in Russia.
   [1]Amnesty International says it considers the women prisoners of
   conscience.
   Hundreds of people gathered outside the Moscow courthouse Friday to
   support the band.  Some were arrested, including opposition leader
   Sergei Ukaltsov and former chess champion Garry Kasparov who is a
   strong critic of Putin.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and AFP.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [2]http://www.voanews.com/content/russia_facesa_criticism_over_band_sen
   tence/1490646.html

References

   1. http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/bitter-blow-to-free-speech-in-russia-pussy-riot-convicted/
   2. http://www.voanews.com/content/russia_facesa_criticism_over_band_sentence/1490646.html