Photo by Lindsay Zoladz
The Wall Street Journal reports that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has today called for the three jailed members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot to be freed. "Prolonging their time in prison in connection to this case seems unproductive," he said, during a regional meeting of the United Russia party.
Pussy Riot are currently serving a two-year prison sentence, following a five-month detainment period, after they were convicted of "hooliganism driven by religious hatred." Their case comes up for appeal October 1.
As The Journal notes, Medvedev said, "The term is very strong. I would even say a terrible burden. I don't want to replace the judge... but the time they have already served is, in essence, more than enough to make them think about what happened, whether it was from their own stupidity or for other reasons."
However, Medvedev also said that he was "sickened" by their actions and the "hysteria" around the case.
Yesterday, the Feminist Press announced a Pussy Riot eBook to raise money for the group's legal defense, including letters from jail, translated courtroom statements, and tributes written by people like Yoko Ono, JD Samson and Johanna Fateman of Le Tigre, Karen Finley, Justin Vivian Bond, and Eileen Myles.
Read our interview with Kathleen Hanna on Pussy Riot, as well as our feature on why the band matters, and watch Pussy Riot recently thanking supporters: