Members of Pussy Riot have been released from prison – again – after being arrested on the day of their release earlier this week (July 30).
- READ MORE: Who are Pussy Riot? A guide to the Russian activist group who crashed the World Cup Final
Veronika “Nika” Nikulshina, Olga Kuracheva, Olga Pakhtusova, and Petya Verzilov were initially arrested after they ran onto the pitch during the World Cup final.
They were sentenced to 15 days in prison, while the four members were also banned from attending any sports events for three years.
While they were once again arrested after serving the 15 day sentence, it’s now been confirmed that they are free. Pussy Riot announced the update on Twitter, writing: “upd. our dear 4 activists are ON FREEDOM now. they still will have to come to court and still can get another 25 days,but now they’re free” See that tweet below.
upd. our dear 4 activists are ON FREEDOM now. they still will have to come to court and still can get another 25 days,but now they're free ?
— ????? ???? (@pussyrrriot) July 31, 2018
They’re reportedly expected back in court at a later and they could face more prison time, but for now, they’re out.
Since the incident, the band have shared new music including ‘Track About Good Cop’, ‘PONG!’, ‘Unicorn Freedom’ and ‘КОШМАРЫ/NIGHTMARES.’
Speaking of the new material, the band’s Nadya Tolokonnikova and Nikita Chaika said that their new tracks were inspired by the tradition of the Russian “prison chanson” – folk ballads written by inmates.
“They belong to everybody, and they have proven to be an amazing tool of empowerment: a good old song that’s making fun of prison guards can lift your spirit in a sad moment and, thus, literally save your life,” said Tolokonnikova.
“Spirit is pretty much the only one thing that keeps you alive in Russian prison. Building an alternative universe in prisoners’ folklore helps to keep valuing and respecting yourself as a human being, even if you’re living in a fucking nightmarish hell.”