Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Russian Female Group Jailed over “Punk Prayer”

Charges of hooliganism were filed against two suspected members of the all-female punk group Pussy Riot over a protest at the Russian capital's largest cathedral. The charges carry up to seven years in prison. Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were arrested following the band's performance of what they called a "punk prayer" at the altar of Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral last month, and they now face two months of pre-trial detention. Four members of the group, clad in bright balaclavas, bowed and crossed themselves as they sang an acapella version of a song entitled “Holy Sh*t” at the cathedral. The lyrics included lines such as “Holy Mother, Blessed Virgin, chase Putin out!” Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin demonstrated a very “negative” reaction when told about the performance, his spokesman said last week. The Orthodox Church demands that criminal charges of "inciting religious hatred" be brought against the group members. In addition, a leading Orthodox Church official suggested that Russia should make blasphemy a criminal offense.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120313/172130097.html
http://en.rian.ru/society/20120314/172158569.html
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20120222/171464066.html
http://youtu.be/VtYw-d1CSxQ (video)

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