Pussy Riot punks plead not guilty

Three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot pleaded not guilty to charges of hooliganism and religious hatred on the 30 July 2012, in a case seen as part of a Kremlin crackdown on freedom of expression and the opposition movement.

In addition, Russian authorities charged anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny with embezzlement. The blogger, who helped spearhead anti-Kremlin protests earlier in 2012 year, said the charges against him were 'absurd'.

On the 17 August 2012 the judge in the case convicted the three members of Pussy Riot and sentenced them to 2 years in prison. The US, UK and EU all criticised the sentences as 'disproportionate'.

ESO: Background information: Kremlin moves against foreign-backed NGOs http://www.europeansources.info/record/kremlin-moves-against-foreign-backed-ngos/

BBC News, 31.7.12: Pussy Riot members plead not guilty over Moscow protest http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19040414

Deutsche Welle, 30.7.12: A show trial like in the days of Stalin? http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16126125,00.html

RIA Novosti, 30.7.12: Pussy Riot Apologize, Plead Not Guilty http://en.rian.ru/society/20120730/174859159.html

BBC News, 31.7.12: Russian blogger Navalny charged with embezzlement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19060444

ESO: Background information: Fear as police summon Russian blogger http://www.europeansources.info/record/fear-as-police-summon-russian-blogger/

RIA Novosti, 1.8.12: US Concerned over Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Charges http://en.rian.ru/society/20120801/174896945.html

Deutsche Welle, 1.8.12: Activists: Russian opposition is being silenced http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16134986,00.html

BBC News, 2.8.12: Pussy Riot trial: Putin urges leniency for Russia punks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19104001

RIA Novosti, 3.8.12: Bailiffs Bar Navalny from Pussy Riot Trial http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120803/174952558.html

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

BBC News, 7.8.12: Pussy Riot: Russia prosecutors seek three years' jail http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19163042

RIA Novosti, 7.8.12: Prosecution Seeks 3 Yrs for Pussy Riot Members http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120807/175037076.html

Deutsche Welle, 8.8.12: 'Lenient' verdict for Pussy Riot? http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,16150592,00.html

The Economist, No.8795, 28.7.12: Russian opposition. Punk prayer http://www.economist.com/node/21559668

Spiegel Online International, 13.8.12: Putin's Russia Is Becoming a Flawless Dictatorship http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/spiegel-cover-story-on-pussy-riot-trial-and-putin-a-849697.html

BBC News, 17.8.12: Pussy Riot members jailed for two years for hooliganism http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19297373

France24, 17.8.12: Pussy Riot punk protesters get two-year jail sentences http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-russia-pussy-riot-punk-trio-sentenced-two-years-jail-anti-putin-protest-church

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

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

RIA Novosti, 17.8.12: Pussy Riot Jailed for Two Years http://en.rian.ru/russia/20120817/175268773.html

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