Pussy Riot Members Denied Parole

A Russian court has denied parole to a member of punk band Pussy Riot who has begun a hunger strike in jail. The court in Berezniki accepted claims that Maria Alyokhina had systematically disobeyed prison authorities and failed to repent for her crime, Russian media reported. Last month, fellow band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova was also denied parole. Internationally famous musicians including Paul McCartney had been among those calling for them to be freed. The women were jailed for two years in August for breaching public order motivated by religious hatred. "This looked not like a court hearing but like arm-twisting," Alyokhina's mother Natalia told Svoboda Radio, which carried a live web video feed from the court. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote I believe that you granting this request would send a very positive message to all the people who have followed this case” Letter to judge from Paul McCartney and Peter Gabriel "Clearly the court was not interested in the character of the convict, because the decision was likely made in advance," she added. Alyokhina announced a hunger strike on Wednesday after being refused the right to attend her own parole hearing. She also ordered her lawyer to boycott the hearing.

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