Pussy Riot: On the Moscow Front…

As dozens of Russian intellectuals and prominent cultural figures (many of whom are supporters of President Vladimir Putin) address a letter to the Supreme Court and Moscow City Court calling for the release of the three jailed activist rockers of Pussy Riot, the Tokyo Palace in Paris has opened a display in support of the Russian feminist punk band.

The first display of the “Pussy Riot Case” entitled “Alert” will focus upon the fate of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alehina -who face up to seven years in jail- with video recordings of other Pussy Riot actions, works of the Russian artists who support the band, and posters and photographs. The three women have been imprisoned since March and are being charged with hooliganism after a February prank prayer at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral, in which they [The Band, Pussy Riot] asked Mother Mary to deliver Russia from Putin's return to the Kremlin for a third term. Kremlin-controlled media have lambasted the band for "blasphemy" and disrespect to the Russian Orthodox Church, the country's largest, because of the performance of their [Pussy Riot] “Holy Shit” punk prayer.

However, more than 100 prominent cultural figures have come to the aid to the jailed Pussy Riot rockers, calling for their release. Among the signatories are Chulpan Khamatova, a popular actress and co-founder of the Gift of Life Charity, and actor and theater director Yevgeny Mironov. In all, the list of supporters includes 103 musicians, actors, filmmakers, singers and other cultural figures. In a copy letter that was published Wednesday in Moskovsky Komsomolets, the supporters state that the actions of Pussy Riot do not constitute a criminal offense and for the women, two of whom are young mothers, to be freed from custody.

"The girls did not kill anyone, they did not rob, did not commit violence, did not destroy or steal anyone's property.” the letter also states. "We see no legal basis or practical reason for the further isolation of these young women, who do not pose any real danger from society.”

Alertwill be on display until July 20.