Each of the three imprisoned Pussy Riot members, who were found guilty of hooliganism earlier today, have been sentenced to two years in jail.
The group were arrested after performing a protest at a Cathedral in Russia, playing the song ‘Holy Shit’ as a reference to the government’s seemingly corrupt relationship with president Vladimir Putin.
They’ve now been sentenced to two years in prison - seven was the maximum possible punishment - having being accused of ‘crudely undermined social order’ by the judge, Marina Syrova.
Syrova said of her decision: “Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina, and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order. An act of hooliganism can be understood as being driven by acts of hatred or degradation of any given social or national or religious group. Therefore the charge of hooliganism can be sustained when a defendant has expressed open disrespect and defiance against the communally expected norms and the tastes of others.”
The decision is a blow for the freedom of the people of Russia and will no doubt attract criticism from across the world - a range of celebrities, bands and singers have backed the group, who will probably continue to protest despite the loss of three of their members.
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