Support The Moscow Times!

Judges Reject Pussy Riot Appeal

Moscow's highest court panel has rejected an appeal by three members of the punk band Pussy Riot against their hooliganism conviction following a protest against President Vladimir Putin.

Moscow City Court's presidium upheld the verdict against the band last week. The decision was published Wednesday.

The band performed a "punk prayer" in Moscow's main cathedral shortly before Putin was elected to a third term, entreating the Virgin Mary to save Russia from Putin. The court panel said this offended religious believers and disturbed the peace.

Yekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were given two-year sentences last August. Samutsevich was released on appeal, but her conviction was not overturned.

(AP)

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more