Over 5000 sign Czech AI petition calling for Pussy Riot´s release

About forty people attended the protest meeting called "You Won´t Silence Us!."

Three members of Pussy Riot were sentenced in August to two years behind bars for a provocative performance in a Moscow church.

A court in Moscow is to discuss their appeal against the verdict on Monday.

"The AI considers Pussy Riot´s trial political and their prosecution unrightful. From the beginning the whole procedure has been irregular. All three [Pussy Riot] members have been in custody for almost six months now, which otherwise happens in the case of the worst [suspected criminals]," AI director Mark Martin told CTK today.

"Pussy Riot´s protest action was legitimate, though maybe offending," said Martina Parizkova, from the AI. She said she views the three activists as prisoners of conscience who were convicted only for having peacefully expressed their opinion.

The song protesting against Vladimir Putin, which they performed in the church in February, was one of many protests against Putin ahead of the then forthcoming Russian presidential elections, Parizkova said.

The text of the song was read at the Prague protest meeting today.

Experts say the chance of the appeal court softening or cancelling the Pussy Riot verdict is low.

Author: ČTK
www.ctk.cz