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Pussy Riot found guilty of hooliganism by Moscow court | Pussy Riot found guilty of hooliganism by Moscow court |
(30 minutes later) | |
Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, over a protest in a cathedral. | Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot have been convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, over a protest in a cathedral. |
Judge Marina Syrova said the women had "crudely undermined social order" during their action in February. | Judge Marina Syrova said the women had "crudely undermined social order" during their action in February. |
The women say their "punk prayer" was a political act in protest against the Russian Orthodox Church leader's support of President Vladimir Putin. | The women say their "punk prayer" was a political act in protest against the Russian Orthodox Church leader's support of President Vladimir Putin. |
Prosecutors are seeking a three-year jail sentence. | Prosecutors are seeking a three-year jail sentence. |
The verdict is still being read out. | The verdict is still being read out. |
Judge Syrova said Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, had offended the feelings of Orthodox believers and shown a "complete lack of respect". | Judge Syrova said Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, had offended the feelings of Orthodox believers and shown a "complete lack of respect". |
"Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order," she said. | "Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order," she said. |
The judge quoted prosecution witnesses as saying the act had been one of blasphemy, not politics. | |
Worldwide protests | Worldwide protests |
Along with other members of their band, the women staged a flashmob-style performance of their song close to the altar in the cathedral on 21 February. | Along with other members of their band, the women staged a flashmob-style performance of their song close to the altar in the cathedral on 21 February. |
Their brief, obscenity-laced performance, which implored the Virgin Mary to "throw Putin out", enraged the Orthodox Church - its leader Patriarch Kirill said it amounted to blasphemy. | Their brief, obscenity-laced performance, which implored the Virgin Mary to "throw Putin out", enraged the Orthodox Church - its leader Patriarch Kirill said it amounted to blasphemy. |
Mr Putin was elected for a second term as president two weeks later. | |
Alyokhina, Tolokonnikova and Samutsevich, watching Friday's proceedings from inside a glass-walled cage in the courtroom, smiled as the widely predicted verdict was delivered. | |
The BBC's Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, says the defendants are all handcuffed in the dock, whereas on other days the handcuffs had been removed. | The BBC's Daniel Sandford, in Moscow, says the defendants are all handcuffed in the dock, whereas on other days the handcuffs had been removed. |
On Thursday, Tolokonnikova had said she was "not bitter about being in jail". But, speaking through her lawyer on Twitter, she said: "Politically, I am furious." | On Thursday, Tolokonnikova had said she was "not bitter about being in jail". But, speaking through her lawyer on Twitter, she said: "Politically, I am furious." |
"Our imprisonment serves as a clear and unambiguous sign that freedom is being taken away from the entire country," she said. | "Our imprisonment serves as a clear and unambiguous sign that freedom is being taken away from the entire country," she said. |
The women have been detained for the past five months. | The women have been detained for the past five months. |
Their defence lawyer said before the hearing that they were hoping for an acquittal, "but they are ready to continue to fight". | Their defence lawyer said before the hearing that they were hoping for an acquittal, "but they are ready to continue to fight". |
Large crowds of supporters have gathered outside the court in Moscow, including prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. | Large crowds of supporters have gathered outside the court in Moscow, including prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. |
Associated Press news agency said a number of protesters had been arrested, including ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov and opposition politician Sergei Udaltsov. | Associated Press news agency said a number of protesters had been arrested, including ex-world chess champion Garry Kasparov and opposition politician Sergei Udaltsov. |
There were also pro-Pussy Riot protests in Paris, where demonstrators in Igor Stravinsky square chanted "Freedom", and in Kiev, where women protesters sawed down a wooden cross in a central square. | There were also pro-Pussy Riot protests in Paris, where demonstrators in Igor Stravinsky square chanted "Freedom", and in Kiev, where women protesters sawed down a wooden cross in a central square. |
Other shows of support took place in Belgrade, Berlin, Sofia and Barcelona. | |
The band have also had vocal support from artists including Paul McCartney and Madonna, and from politicians. | The band have also had vocal support from artists including Paul McCartney and Madonna, and from politicians. |
Critics of the band have also been demonstrating, saying the stunt was an insult to the Russian Orthodox Church. | Critics of the band have also been demonstrating, saying the stunt was an insult to the Russian Orthodox Church. |
One, Igor Kim, told the BBC News website from Moscow: "Shouting and screaming and spreading hate in Church is unacceptable and is contrary with Christian ethics." | One, Igor Kim, told the BBC News website from Moscow: "Shouting and screaming and spreading hate in Church is unacceptable and is contrary with Christian ethics." |
One protester outside court in Moscow simply shouted: "Let Pussy Riot and all their supporters burn in hell." | One protester outside court in Moscow simply shouted: "Let Pussy Riot and all their supporters burn in hell." |
Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the verdict? You can send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Russia? What is your reaction to the verdict? You can send us your comments using the form below. |