Pussy Riot Released?

The member of Pussy Riot – Nadezhda Tolokonnikova – in the Moscow court. Photo © Рамиль Ситдиков (RIA Novosti)

RuNet is full of rumors that the detained members of the scandalous punk group “Pussy Riot” might be released today.

First was the political activist Alisa Obraztsova who tweeted:

“The lawyers of‪ Pussy Riot said that they received a call from the presidential administration and tomorrow PussyRiot ‬ would be released”

The same information was repeated by Kseniya Sobchak:

“Insider source claims that tomorrow at 14:00 Pussy Riot will be released by a call from administration. Could it be so?”

Finally, the indirect confirmation came from Nikolay Polozov – lawyer of the girls:

“Tomorrow, after the meeting in the Moscow City Court on the case of Pussy Riot, sensation is awaited.”

Pussy Riot punk prayer

Four months ago few members of the female punk group “Pussy Riot” wearing head masks, entered one of the main Russian churches (Christ the Savior Cathedral) and performed the clownish prayer in which they asked from Virgin Maria to get rid of Putin.

The girls were arrested and until now have been kept in detention waiting for trial.  Online and offline discussions about the appropriate punishment for the hooliganism of “Pussy Riot” have strongly polarized the Russian society.

[See, for example, the number of likes and dislikes for the video above - currently  being 7,807 vs. 9,866]

Russian netizens comment on the possible release of Pussy Riot

t_rebroff:  That’s a pity.Очень жаль

paukrus:  Might let out or might let down. And even Sobchak might join them. It all depends on what the prosecutor is told to do.Могут отпустить, а могут и опустить. А могут и Собчака к ним подсадить. Это уж как прокурору скажут.

ufo:  and immediately to internet!!! to the favorite VKontakte!! posts about hard life!! autobiography: how I spent few months behind the bars!! to TV!! to the radio!!!! … … и сразу в интеренеты!!!1 вконтактик лубимый!!1 посты о тяжелой жизне!! автобиографические псто: как я провела за решеткой несколько месяцев!!1 на телевизер!!1 на радиву!!!!1 …

stranoved_ru:  They shouldn’t be released! ВЫПУСКАТЬ НЕЛЬЗЯ!

anatoligreen:  Very good. Their 15 days they “earned” honestly, and for the rest they must seek compensation in European courts. There are NO courts in Russia, nowhere to go.Очень хорошо. 15 суток они заработали честно, а за остальное следует требовать компенсации через европейский суд. В России судов НЕТ, обращаться не куда.

[Note:  in Russia, 15 days of prison term is the maximum punishment for administrative violations, longer terms are applicable only for criminal cases]

koygore:  Meet them with rotten eggs.Встретить бы их тухлыми яйцами.

sergej_vl:  That they will be released – is good. Too bad that the judges don’t work according to the laws, but according to the calls. Like Pavlov’s dogs, purely on reflexes.То, что отпустят – хорошо. Плохо, что судьи работают не по законам, а по звонкам. Как собачки Павлова, чисто на рефлексах.

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