Video: Russian Punk Rock Band Found Guilty of Hooliganism

WORLD -- August 17, 2012 at 10:40 AM EDT

Video: Russian Punk Rock Band Found Guilty of Hooliganism

Edited version of Pussy Riot's anti-Putin song.

Three members of the female Russian punk band Pussy Riot were found guilty of hooliganism Friday for running into Moscow's Christ the Savior cathedral in March and performing a song urging the Virgin Mary to "drive away" Vladimir Putin.

Putin was elected to another term as Russia's president two weeks later.

The case has garnered international attention as a test case for Russia's tolerance for dissension and freedom of expression.

The judge sentenced the band members to two years in jail.

Stephen Sestanovich, a senior fellow for Russian and Eurasian studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the performance artists staged the event during a time of general protest against the government, and the Russian church was outraged by the use of the cathedral.

"Authorities want to divide the opposition, paint them as extremist, marginal and hostile to traditional culture," he said.

Before the verdict, the Guardian interviewed several members of the group, who wear masks to remain anonymous and gain "strength":

A Russia Today report shows the difference of opinions on the case:

American singer Madonna speaks in support of Pussy Riot and freedom of expressing opinions at a performance in Moscow (EXPLICIT LANGUAGE):

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