The trial against Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samusevich was closed yesterday, August 8, 2012, and the verdict will be given on August 17. The three members of the Pussy Riot group face up to seven years in jail for hooliganism after storming the altar of Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral in February in short dresses and colourful masks to perform a “punk prayer.” The lyrics of the song harshly condemn President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church.  PEN International protests the arrest and trial of the three women. It calls on the Russian judiciary to take into consideration the widespread condemnation of the trial, both national and international, and that a conviction would be a clear breach of the women’s right to freedom of expression.

Background Information

The trial has become the focus of international media attention, with world famous performing artists, including Madonna and the Red Hot Chili Peppers breaking their performances in Moscow to make statements in support of the three women. Little known until their arrest, Pussy Riot has become an international cult figure, despite—or because of—the fact that they have been in prison nearly six months since March. Videos of their performance have been widely disseminated through social media, as have images from the past week’s extraordinary trial hearings showing the women held in a glass cage, angry exchanges within the court room, and demonstrations outside.

Follow PEN International has been monitoring the trial through social media, commenting throughout on Twitter @pen_int and Facebook.

Despite the widespread outrage about the trial, there are real fears that the women will be sentenced to jail terms—three years is thought to be likely. The outcome will not be known until August 17. If they are to serve prison sentences, this will no doubt lead to even greater protests. They have been imprisoned for six months, without access to their children and family, for an act which, although challenging, did not cause physical damage to any person or building, and which in any country respectful of human rights, would have attracted no more than a caution or fine. The severity of their treatment is clearly related to their criticism of the Russian church and state, specifically President Putin.

Read PEN International's translation of their “punk prayer” Punk Moleben and its contex.

Read PEN Russia’s open letter to Vladimir Putin in support of Pussy Riot members.

We also recommend articles and tweets by The Guardian's Moscow correspondent Miriam Elder, who was present at the trial: @MiriamElder

Write A Letter

  • Protesting the detention of Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ekaterina Samusevich;
  • Referring to the fact that they have already been imprisoned for six months, without access to their children and families, for an act which, although challenging, did not cause physical damage to any person or building, and which in any country respectful of human rights, would have attracted no more than a caution or fine;
  • Pointing out that they are being treated particularly harshly because of the contents of their song lyrics, a clear breach of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified by Russia and which protects the right to freedom of expression.

Send Your Letter To

Mr. Vladimir Putin
President of the Russian Federation
Kremlin
Moscow
Russia
Fax: +7 095 206 5173 / 230 2408
Send a message through the Kremlin web site

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Russia in your country if possible.

Please send appeals immediately. Contact PEN if sending appeals after August 17, 2012: ftw [at] pen.org


Messages of solidarity to the prisoners can be sent via Free Pussy Riot!