Russia faces global ire over punk band jailing

MOSCOW — Russia on Saturday faced a storm of international criticism for sentencing three members of the Pussy Riot punk band to two years in prison for a political protest in an Orthodox cathedral.

Speculation mounted that the women, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich, could have their sentences reduced on appeal after the damaging global reaction, with the Russian public also questioning the sentence.

Judge Marina Syrova said the three young protesters had shown a “clear disrespect toward society” by staging a “Punk Prayer” calling on the Virgin Mary to drive out Vladimir Putin just weeks ahead of his election in March to a third presidential term.

The United States called the sentences “disproportionate”, while Britain, France and the European Union also said the punishment was excessive and questioned Russia’s rights record.

“Putin cronies can jail Pussy Riot but they can’t jail their hearts & minds. More proof of Russia tyranny,” wrote British rights activist Peter Tatchell on Twitter.

Newspaper owner Alexander Lebedev, who co-owns Russia’s Novaya Gazeta daily and owns Britain’s Independent daily, on called the women “prisoners of conscience” on his Twitter account.

Russian media and politicians raised the possibility of the women’s sentence being reduced.

“There is a feeling that the Moscow city court, after the lawyers’ appeal, will cut (the sentence) down to only one year, and after that they will release these foolish women back to their children and loved ones,” Komsomolskaya Pravda daily said Saturday.

Leading ruling party member Andrei Isayev on Friday called the sentence “harsh” and noted that Putin had yet to speak his full mind on the matter.

Putin had earlier this month said he thought the band members should not be “judged too severely” while stressing that he strongly disagreed with what they did. — AFP