Russian judges in Pussy Riot case defend their decision to keep 2 band members behind bars

CP20402743
A policeman watches band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova speaking on a TV screen in a hall outside a court room of the Moscow City Court where three members of the punk band Pussy Riot are set to make their case before a Russian appeals court that they should not be imprisoned, in Moscow, Wednesday. Oct. 10, 2012. Their impromptu performance inside Moscow\'s main cathedral in February came shortly before Putin was elected to a third term. The three women were convicted in August of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred and sentenced to two years in prison. (AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev)

MOSCOW – Russian judges who ruled to keep two of the three Pussy Riot band members behind bars have defended their decision, saying it was made independently and without pressure.

Moscow City Court on Wednesday had upheld a district court ruling to send Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina to prison for two years, but released Yekaterina Samutsevich after giving her a suspended sentence.

Judge Larisa Polyakova told reporters Thursday the panel of judges had deemed “correction of Tolokonnikova and Alekhina” impossible outside prison. She denied that there was any pressure on the judges.

Pussy Riot staged an impromptu punk performance against President Vladimir Putin at Moscow’s main cathedral in February. The three women were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred but say their stunt was political.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles