July 29, 2012 10:41

Pussy Riot: 'Putin is scared of us'

Members of punk collective speak on eve of trial

Photo: PA

Feminist punk collective Pussy Riot have claimed Russian President Vladimir Putin is scared of them, on the eve of the trial of three of their members.

The three members of the band - Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich - have been in pre-trial detention since March of this year, after they staged a protest against Russian President Vladmir Putin. A court recently ruled that the three women will remain in custody until January 12, 2013, however legal arguments will be heard tomorrow (July 30).

Speaking to the Guardian, Pussy Riot member Squirrel declared: "Putin is scared of us, can you imagine? Scared of girls. The most important dictator, Putin, is really afraid of people."

She added:

More specifically, he's afraid of Pussy Riot. Afraid of a bunch of young, positive, optimistic women unafraid to speak their minds.

Last week, a Russian artist sewed his mouth together in support of three members of the group. Petr Pavlensky stood in front of St Petersburg's Kazan Cathedral holding a banner reading 'Pussy Riot act is a replay of a famous act by Jesus Christ'.

Franz Ferdinand and the Red Hot Chili Peppers have also voiced support for the band at gigs in Moscow.

Pussy Riot face up to seven years in jail on hooliganism charges after they were arrested following an impromptu performance at Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral, where they sang a song called 'Holy Shit' as a protest against the Orthodox Christian church's alleged support for Putin. Although Putin regained power in the last Russian election, the verdict has been marred by accusations of fraud by his competitors.

Shortly before their arrest, members of Pussy Riot spoke to NME, calling Putin's reaction to their church protest "childish". "We knew what the political situation was but now we're personally feeling the full force of Putin's Kafka-esque machine," they said. "The state's policy is based on a minimum of critical thinking and on a maximum of spite, and a desire to get even with those who don't please it."

Amnesty International have called for the release of band members, arguing that they are "prisoners of conscience".

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