Russian punk rockers denied bail

Jul 12

Web Only

Russian punk rockers denied bail

Band members who stormed a Moscow cathedral will remain in jail until their trial date.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of female punk band, "Pussy Riot", reacts behind bars during a court hearing in Moscow July 4, 2012. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

Members of the all-female punk rock band Pussy Riot were denied bail on Monday after being arrested for a controversial act of political protest. The group faces up to seven years in jail for "hooliganism" when they stormed Moscow's main cathedral to perform a song critical of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

View the story "Russian punk rockers denied bail" on StorifyRussian punk rockers denied bailBand members who stormed a Moscow cathedral will remain in jail until their trial date.Storified by The Stream · Wed, Jul 11 2012 15:19:41

Here's a video of the incident:

Pussy Riot-Punk Prayer.mp4imjustevil666Band members later claimed their performance was staged in protest of the Russian Orthodox Church's support of Putin. During his latest election campaign, Patriarch Kirill, the head of the church, praised Putin's twelve year rule as "a miracle of God".Church elders have called for harsh penalties for the band, even drawing thousands to a mass prayer ceremony in April to defend the church's image.Russian Orthodox Church organises against Pussy Riot punksaljazeeraenglishAfter it was announced that the group would remain in custody until their trial, their lawyer spoke with members of the press while holding band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova's daughter.#PussyRiot lawyers: No justice, women jailed on political orders. Pic with Tolokonnikova's daughter TT @hegtor: http://pic.twitter.com/d1HyvczpRussian Police WatchMany netizens rallied in support of band members, who Amnesty International says are "prisoners of conscience".Show your support for the hearing on Monday #pussyriot http://pic.twitter.com/pLh2LfztsabinahgМы в ресторане "Петрович", @noliquid одарил мир шедевром "Петрович free Pussy Riot" - оставим в дар заведению )) http://pic.twitter.com/qMTYxbrcЛусинэПутин и голова Pussy Riot. http://pic.twitter.com/UXrBUhZ5noliquidЭто понравится многим здесьkotivasЕсли за молитву в Храме три девушки назначены (!) кощунницами, тогда и меня клеймите, мракобесы! #freepussyriot http://pic.twitter.com/HGLiEbFNMika Ha#freepussyriot http://pic.twitter.com/3404fv8tFree Pussy RiotTranslation: You are next!Over 1,000 people have signed an online petition calling for Putin to release the rockers.Hey @peachesnisker will you sign and share the petition to help #FreePussyRiot? http://www.change.org/petitions/president-vladimir-putin-free-pussy-riotTim NewmanFrom the Change.org petition letter:The women are imprisoned not for a real crime but for being critical of Putin.I object classifying the performance of the Pussy Riot band in the Temple of Christ the Savior on 21 February 2012 as a criminal act because it does not contain component elements of a crime.Second, it is unacceptable to equate a conflict with Russian Orthodox Church policy to a criminal offence because the Constitution of the Russian Federation separates the Church from the State.In an interview with Vice Magazine in March, group members claimed they were unafraid of an official crackdown as their profile grew:Kot: We have nothing to worry about, because if the repressive Putinist police crooks throw one of us in prison, five, ten, 15 more girls will put on colorful balaclavas and continue the fight against their symbols of power.Serafima: And today, with tens of thousands of people routinely taking to the streets, the state will think twice before trying to fabricate a criminal case and putting us away. There are loads of Pussy Riot fans in Russia's protesting masses.The Stream examined the use of art in anti-Putin rallies ahead of the national elections. Watch the full episode:Artistic dissidence goes viral in Russiaajstream

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