The controversial court case of Pussy vs. Jesus came to a disappointing close today, as the verdict for the political punk activists Pussy Riot found the group guilty of acts of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred,” “and for wearing clothing that is not in keeping with the normal rules of dressing in church.” The Russian female trio had been obtained by police after a guerrilla protest of fascist President Vladimir Putin in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. The five-month case that could have potentially convicted the three Pussy Riot members to a maximum of seven years resulted in a two-year sentence this morning.
The verdict is received, obviously, with much outcry over the injustice of the sentence. Members of the courtroom were reported to shout “Shame! Shame!” as the guilty verdict was delivered. Some such responses have led to additional arrests, with a number of people apprehended outside of the courtroom, including chess champion-turned-political activist Garry Kasparov, according to The Guardian.
Amnesty International declared Pussy Riot “prisoners of conscience” and expressed concern that they faced the danger of being sent to labor camps, where they would be at risk of physical and sexual abuse.
I tried to call Putin for comment, but he ain’t answering the phone today.
• Free Pussy Riot: http://freepussyriot.org