13 Protesters Arrested At Pussy Riot Court Hearing
Friday, 20 April 2012
Written by Elliott Batte
Russian police arrested 13 protesters demonstrating outside the court case of Moswcow punk-rockers Pussy Riot, according to reports.
Pussy Riot were arrested back in March after holding a protest performance against the notoriously powerful Russian president Vladimir Putin, and could potentially face up to seven years in jail for the act. The show saw them singing their track 'Holy Shit' as they protested against the Orthodox Church's support of Putin, but ended with the band being hauled away by police.
Three of the band's members - Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samusevich – appeared in court earlier this week, and were greeted by a number of equally unhappy protesters who were calling for the release of the detained musicians, shouting 'Freedom! Freedom!'. But, after an opposing member of the crowd – a member of the Russian Orthdox church – threw an egg at one of the band member's husbands, a fight broke out between them and the protesters – ending with 13 protesters being taken away by police.
Speaking to NME before their arrest, the band said: “We knew what the political situation was but now we're personally feeling the full force of Putin's Kafka-esque machine. The state's policy is based on a minimum of critical thinking and on a maximum of spite, and a desire to get even with those who don't please it.”
But, statement from the 'Interior Ministry' agreed with their arrest, saying: “These citizens were taken in on suspicion of committing a crime, one involving a gross violation of public order, including inciting religious hatred as part of a planned conspiracy.”
What do you think of the incident? Let us know in the comments section below.
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