2 Pussy Riot members reunite after release from Russian prison

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CORRECTS TO PUNK BAND - Member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, Maria Alekhina, speaks to the media while leaving a train upon her arrival in Moscow, Russia, late Monday, Dec. 23, 2013. Two jailed Pussy Riot members, Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, were released following an amnesty law that both described as a Kremlin public relations stunt ahead of the Winter Olympics. (AP Photo/Denis Tyrin)

KRASNOYARSK, Russia – Two members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot have reunited after spending nearly two years in prison for their protest at Moscow’s main cathedral.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina were scheduled for release in March but were granted amnesty Monday, that was seen as the Kremlin’s attempt to soothe criticism of Russia’s human rights record ahead of the Winter Olympics in Sochi in February.

The band’s third member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was released on suspended sentence shortly after all three women were found guilty of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in prison in August 2012 for their protest at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.

Alekhina and Tolokonnikova told reporters Tuesday they have got together to discuss a human rights project they want to set up together.

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