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Pussy Riot protestors arrested in Moscow
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 16 August 2012
Supporters of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, three of whom are currently on trial for alleged hooliganism, were arrested after a peaceful protest was broken up.
As previously reported, the three accused women – commonly known as Masha, Nadya and Katya – were arrested earlier this year amidst allegations they were amongst the five members of the ten strong band who performed a “punk prayer” against president Vladimir Putin on the altar of the Cathedral Of Christ The Saviour Of The Russian Orthodox Church in Moscow. All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. A ruling is expected on Friday.
The protest, which took place on the steps in front of the cathedral, saw eighteen men and women don balaclavas similar to the band’s own trademark headwear and hold up black cards spelling out the phrase: “Blessed are the merciful”, reports Reuters.
Securities guards roughly broke up the protesters, and three were taken away by police for questioning, reports AFP.
AFP also posted this video of the protest being broken up, which shows security guards attacking journalists as well as protestors:
