Band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich made headlines after they stormed onto the altar of Moscow’s main cathedral, and sang a protest song that included their asking the Virgin Mary to “throw Putin out”.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church said the act had amounted to blasphemy and the riot grrrls were taken into custody on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.

They could face up to seven years in prison.

However, the trial has caused outrage among many who claim the case demonstrates Russia’s intolerance towards political opponents.

Prominent Russian actors, directors and musicians have called for the women’s release, while Western musicians including the Red Hot Chili Peppers have also spoken out against Pussy Riot’s arrest.

The cathedral stunt was not the first to be pulled by Pussy Riot this year. The women also performed in front of St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square in January, singing: “Revolt in Russia – the charisma of protest / Revolt in Russia, Putin’s got scared!”

Image: Getty



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