Russians say criticism around Pussy Riot won’t affect trade ambitions

OTTAWA – A Russian official is playing down concern that the jailing of punk band Pussy Riot will discourage Canadian businesses from pursuing opportunities in his country.

Konstantin Trofimov, Russia’s trade commissioner to Canada, says he doesn’t think most Canadian businessmen actually know about the provocative punk band.

Trofimov made the remark at a Russian embassy briefing ahead of the next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit in its Pacific Ocean port city of Vladivostok.

Russia has just gained membership in the World Trade Organization and is eager to deepen economic ties, including with Canada.

Three women in Pussy Riot were recently imprisoned for two years after being found guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for performing a “punk prayer” against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s main cathedral.

The case has sparked outrage globally because it is seen as emblematic of a major crackdown on dissent that has occurred in Russia since Putin reassumed the presidency earlier this year.