Moscow court: Pussy Riot band to stay in jail until January

A court in Moscow has ordered three members of feminist punk band Pussy Riot to be held in detention for another six months, Agence France-Presse reported.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alekhina have been held in pre-trial custody since March after they staged a “punk prayer” against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow’s main church, Reuters reported.

In February the women, wearing masks, climbed into an area reserved for priests in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and sang a song calling on the Virgin Mary to “Throw Putin Out!”

The brazen act was part of a popular protest movement against Putin that saw tens of thousands of demonstrators take to the streets during the winter and spring months in a series of anti-government protests.

The BBC reported that the band members face up to seven years in prison if convicted on charges of hooliganism.

The band is known for its controversial videos and lyrics attacking Putin, who has dominated Russian politics for the past 12 years.

According to Russia Today, the Khamovnichesky Court extended the women’s detention period until January 12, 2013. A hearing will be held next week on July 23, AFP reported, citing court spokeswoman Darya Lyakh.

Their lawyers say they will appeal the ruling, euronews reported.

More than 100 Russian artists and intellectuals have signed a petition calling for their released.

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