There once was a saying “Only in America”, but over recent times that thought is equally true about Russia!
AP reports that in February the Russian female punk band “Pussy Riot” – dressed in tight neon dresses and knitted balaclavas – performed a “punk prayer” in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral. The song included lyrics condemning the Church’s open support for the state and called on the Virgin Mary to “chase Putin out” of power. Three band members were arrested and could face up to seven years in prison if convicted of “hooliganism.”
Russian president Vladimir Putin has gone on record as stating he does not favour a tough punishment for the members of an all-girl punk band who performed a song against his rule in Moscow’s main cathedral, but he did add “There is nothing good in what they did.” He added “Nevertheless, I do not think that they should be judged too severely for this.”
Christ the Saviour Cathedral – Moscow
Mr Putin has developed a history of issuing carefully phrased comments about high-profile trials that end up coinciding with the final verdict issued by the court. He once noted that “a thief should be in prison” and a Moscow court controversially extended the jail stay of Yukos oil company founder Mikhail Khodorkovsky in 2010. Yet Mr Putin has stressed that the court will have the final say in what happens to the three band members, who are already have been detained in prison for five months.
“It is the court that issues the final ruling,” Putin said.
This author suggests that the former KGB polkovnik still has too much of his old ways about him.
Words, By George! 