The trial of Russian feminist punks Pussy Riot came to a close in Moscow today. The trio (Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich) have been incarcerated for the last five months, charged with hooliganism after staging an impromptu protest concert at Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral.
Pussy Riot has long gained notoriety for their strong criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their case has garnered increasing international support in recent weeks, with noteworthy public figures across the globe calling for their release Because some people still care about her opinion, Madonna recently chimed in at a concert in Moscow, supporting the band’s release and praising their courage. Check out video of her speech here.
A verdict in the Pussy Riot case is expected next Friday (August 17th). Their charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, though prosecutors were pushing for a “more lenient” three-year sentence because two of the band members have young children.