Punk Band "Pussy Riot" Trial Ends in Moscow

The all-woman feminist punk band Pussy Riot went to the main cathedral in Moscow and performed a song, praying to the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin. Three of the women were arrested. The three have been in jail for over five months, with their trial ending yesterday. Prosecutors charged them with "hooliganism," and are asking for three year sentences for the women. Sentencing is scheduled for Friday, August 17th. Information in the American press has been sparse, although the trial has been a rallying point for anti-Putin Russians, and supporters of free speech. Putin, who recently said he thought the United States and NATO should "finish the job" in Afganistan, said that he hopes the women will not be sentenced too harshly. The Russian Orthodox Church, on the other hand, although claiming that "God will judge 'Pussy Riot'," are hedging their bets by demanding that the government give the women long sentences in prison. The church is the largest landowner in Russia, and openly advocates the abolition of the secular government, demanding that it be replaced with a Catholic theocracy.

Check out Pussy Riot's web-site for more information: http://www.freepussyriot.org/