The trio caused outrage in Russia for performing the song ‘Punk Prayer’ in a church speaking out against president Vladimir Putin and “committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred.”
Protests across in capital cities across Europe have been taking place today in sympathy with the punk trio.
“The Pussy Riot singers colluded under unestablished circumstances, for the purpose of offensively violating public peace in a sign of flagrant disrespect for citizens,” said the court, in a translation from Interfax News.
The judge of the case has not acquitted anyone in her last 178 cases – and so this verdict is not a big surprise with many familiar with the history of Russian justice.
Images: Getty
#PussyRiot defense: They focus on image, surprise and political performance- Verdict LIVE FEED on YouTube on.rt.com/n0z74c— RT (@RT_com) August 17, 2012
Pussy Riot’s new single