Pussy Riot verdict draws worldwide condemnation

The two-year prison sentence for Russian punk band Pussy Riot given on the 17 August 2012 has drawn worldwide condemnation. Politicians and human rights activists saw the verdict as being politically motivated and way too harsh.

ESO: Background information: Pussy Riot punks plead not guilty http://www.europeansources.info/record/pussy-riot-punks-plead-not-guilty/

EUObserver, 17.8.12: EU to Russia: Free Pussy Riot http://euobserver.com/foreign/117268

Spiegel Online International, 17.8.12: Moscow Court Finds Members of Pussy Riot Guilty http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/pussy-riot-band-members-found-guilty-in-russia-a-850655.html

EU: EEAS: Press Release, A370/12: Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the sentencing of 'Pussy Riot' punk band members in Russia http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/132192.pdf

Council of Europe: Press Release, 17.8.12: Verdict in the ‘Pussy Riot’ trial: in the light of Council of Europe standards, a disproportionate sentence, says PACE President https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=AP-PR143%282012%29&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=original&Site=COE&BackColorInternet=F5CA75&BackColorIntranet=F5CA75&BackColorLogged=A9BACE

RIA Novosti: Topic: Punk Group Pussy Riot Case http://en.rian.ru/trend/pussy_riot_2012/

EurActiv, 20.8.12: World condemns Putin following punk group sentencing http://www.euractiv.com/europes-east/world-condemns-putin-following-p-news-514341

BBC News, 20.8.12: Russian police hunt other Pussy Riot activists http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19319360

FT, 12.9.12: Russia PM Medvedev backs Pussy Riot release http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19578688

RIA Novosti, 12.9.12: Pussy Riot Should Walk – Russian PM http://en.rian.ru/politics/20120912/175921076.html

BBC News, 1.10.12: Pussy Riot case: Russian court adjourns appeal hearing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19781987

RIA Novosti, 1.10.12: Pussy Riot Appeal Delayed Amid Confusion http://en.rian.ru/russia/20121001/176332910.html

EurActiv, 10.10.12: Pussy Riot shortlisted for Sakharov Prize http://www.euractiv.com/future-eu/pussy-riot-shortlisted-sakharov-news-515301

BBC News, 10.10.12: Pussy Riot case: One defendant freed in Russia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19893008

Spiegel Online International, 15.10.12: 'Our Fight Will Continue' http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-interview-with-samutsevich-released-member-of-pussy-riot-a-861329.html

EUObserver, 17.11.12: Putin and Merkel clash over 'anti-Semitic ' Pussy Riot http://euobserver.com/foreign/118234

RIA Novosti, 16.11.12: Putin: No Support for Anti-Semites http://en.rian.ru/russia/20121116/177523413.html

---