Why International Support for Pussy Riot Could Backfire
Russian-American singer and writer Alina Simone (Photo: Matthew Spencer)
Three members of Russian punk collective Pussy Riot face sentencing in a Moscow court on Friday.
The women could spend up to seven years in prison if convicted on charges of hooliganism.
They’ve been in jail since February after they broke into a Moscow cathedral and performed a “punk prayer” at the altar in a protest against Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Several top Western musicians, including Paul McCartney and Madonna, have expressed support for the jailed Pussy Riot rockers.
But Russian-American musician and writer Alina Simone tells anchor Marco Werman that she thinks the excessive media attention Pussy Riot has gotten could alienate ordinary Russians, and, she says, “…in a perverse way, strengthen support for Putin.”
The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.
Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.