Big Ears
Music Lover
On 21st February 2012, Pussy Riot (a Russian punk rock group) performed 'Virgin Mary, Put Putin Away' in front of the iconostasis of the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, in Moscow, inspired by their opposition to Vladimir Putin and his support from the Russian Orthodox Church. On 3rd March 2012, after the video of the performance appeared online, three of the group members were arrested and faced with trumped-up charges of hooliganism and inciting religious hatred.
A trial began in late July 2012 and aroused international publicity, because of allegations of harsh treatment against the women while in custody and a threat of a seven-year jail sentence. One can only assume that Russians themselves were afraid to speak out against the trial.
Yesterday, 17th August 2012, the three members were unsurprisingly convicted of hooliganism and each sentenced to two years imprisonment. The Russian Orthodox Church appealed appealed to the court to "divide the sin from sinner and reprimand the first while hoping the latter will improve". The foreign ministries of Germany, Sweden, together with representatives of the European Union and the United States described the sentence as, "Disproportionate". Thus far, the church and international representatives appear to have done nothing.
Pussy Riot have received at least emotional support from musicians such as: Kate Nash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Cornershop, Faith No More, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, Patti Smith, The Beastie Boys, Jarvis Cocker, Pete Townshend, Madonna, Genesis, Johnny Marr, Courtney Love, Corinne Bailey Rae, Peter Hammill, Björk, Yoko Ono and, most notably, Paul McCartney.
In speaking out against the megalomaniac Putin, these women were positively heroic (albeit lacking in caution), but I fear his control of European fuel pipes, through Russia, will mitigate against them.
A trial began in late July 2012 and aroused international publicity, because of allegations of harsh treatment against the women while in custody and a threat of a seven-year jail sentence. One can only assume that Russians themselves were afraid to speak out against the trial.
Yesterday, 17th August 2012, the three members were unsurprisingly convicted of hooliganism and each sentenced to two years imprisonment. The Russian Orthodox Church appealed appealed to the court to "divide the sin from sinner and reprimand the first while hoping the latter will improve". The foreign ministries of Germany, Sweden, together with representatives of the European Union and the United States described the sentence as, "Disproportionate". Thus far, the church and international representatives appear to have done nothing.
Pussy Riot have received at least emotional support from musicians such as: Kate Nash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Cornershop, Faith No More, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, Patti Smith, The Beastie Boys, Jarvis Cocker, Pete Townshend, Madonna, Genesis, Johnny Marr, Courtney Love, Corinne Bailey Rae, Peter Hammill, Björk, Yoko Ono and, most notably, Paul McCartney.
In speaking out against the megalomaniac Putin, these women were positively heroic (albeit lacking in caution), but I fear his control of European fuel pipes, through Russia, will mitigate against them.
