Madonna has voiced hope that three feminist Russian rockers on trial for performing a “punk prayer” against Vladimir Putin are released soon.
The pop star told the AP during her concert tour of Russia that she supports freedom of speech and hopes the judge will show leniency…
I’m against censorship, so I hope that the judge is lenient with them and that they are freed soon.
Two weeks before Putin’s return to the presidency in March’s election, the three members of the Pussy Riot band high-kicked and danced in Moscow’s main cathedral while singing “Virgin Mary, drive Putin away!”
The three were arrested, and have spent five months in custody on charges of hooliganism. They face seven years in prison if convicted.
International rights groups have called them prisoners of conscience.
Madonna told Reuters…
I am against censorship and throughout my whole career I’ve always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech.
So obviously, I think that what happened to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair.
I hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. That would be a tragedy.
I think art should be political. Historically speaking, art always reflects what’s going on socially. So for me, it’s hard to separate the idea of being an artist and being political.
A spokesman for Russia’s Union of Orthodox Banner-Bearers – a support group for the Church that often wages fierce political campaigns – accused Madonna of interfering in Russia’s internal affairs and putting pressure on the courts.
The spokesman was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency…
It is not in our power to ban her, but we call on the authorities – who position themselves as Orthodox believers – to do so.
This little singer is openly mocking our laws, our traditions and our culture.
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