Sentencing for Russian punk group, Pussy Riot, is underway
Russian punk group, Pussy Riot, faces prison time for their anti-Putin performance. Sentencing will take place in Moscow on Friday.
In February, the group performed what is now being called a “punk prayer,” asking for Russian President Vladimir Putin to be removed. Because of their antics, the three-woman group was arrested and charged with hooliganism.
Recently, Putin has butted heads with Western governments over a perceived lack of freedoms in Russia. The United States released a statement expressing concern about the repeated silencing of the opposition.
Russians around the world are speaking out in support of the girls. Wired Magazine writes that for Alex Goldfarb, who lives in New York, the case is “like a crystal ball – the whole of Russia, current Russian problems and issues is reflected there.”
Goldfarb is not alone, popular opinion outside of Russia is overwhelmingly leaning towards the three women, all of whom are under 30 and two of whom have children. Even ex-Beatle, Paul McCartney, has publicly asked for the women to be set free.
According to Reuters, the band’s lawyers say that the women have not received a fair trial and the final verdict will be decided by the Kremlin.
