The Russian Orthodox Church asked for clemency for three Pussy Riot members who were arrested after they sang a “punk prayer against President Vladimir Putin — as long as they repent for their crime first.
The church asked for clemency on Sunday in a statement just one day before an appeal hearing, reflecting a desire to end the case, which has caused international outrage, reports Bloomberg Businessweek.
Despite the offer, it’s unclear that the women, who have been sentenced to two years in prison, will offer the penitence sought by the church. It is also unclear how much leniency the court will show, because President Putin has always been reluctant to show that he might bow to public pressure.
Putin has also taken an increasingly tough stance on dissent since he was inaugurated in May. Monday’s appeal hearing has caught the women’s family members between hope and despair as they attempt to figure out whether the political tide of government and church officials will turn in their favor.
The Russian Orthodox Church reaffirmed its condemnation of the Pussy Riot members’ punk prayer, saying that their actions “can’t be left unpunished.” They added, however, that it the women show “penitence and reconsideration of their action” their words “shouldn’t be left unnoticed.”
NBC News notes that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev spoke earlier this month about how keeping the Pussy Riot members in prison any longer than they have already been would be “unproductive.” Medvedev’s statement gave hope that the appeals court could set the women free, but skeptics stated that similar things were said before their initial sentencing by Putin, who stated that the women should not be judged too harshly.
The women, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alekhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30 were arrested back in March after they danced and high-kicked while singing a song to the Virgin Mary in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral, pleading with her to save Russia from President Putin. During their trial, they stated that they were protesting the Russian Orthodox church’s support for Putin, adding that they didn’t intend to offend religious believers.
Since their arrest, the government and the church have both received widespread criticism from the international community, with many people calling for their release.
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This is an outrage,,, if the church wanted to forgive They would…if Putin wanted the girls free they would be…
the court of Russia is not much different than america,,, They do what they please…
The response from authority and the actions they take,,, don't jive…
Vlad,,, What is wrong with you,,, Weakness and fear of little girls is not like you.
You know they are right…. everybody knows it,,, These are Strong Russian Woman now,,,
The more you push,,, the more the world sees Putin the man.
Our world is in bad shape,,, That is why we need make a stand or fall on our sword.
Mr.Putin,,, Are you a tyrant or a free thinking,, World changing leader?
Show America what Russia stands for in this world.
Set these Proud Russian Woman Free…
I am sure our world will thank you.
Although WW3 is on all tables,,, When a significant event,,, Strikes at the heart of freedom,, and.
children answer the call,, The Value of Humanity,, requires attention.
Because I am American,,, Don't let anybody say I want what is yours or to harm in any way Russia,,,
World leaders are the ones out of control,,, with greedy bankers and church corruption…
Every one of these institutions is criminal and need restructure.
My disrespect for actions of world leaders has no negative bearing on common people.
my opinion respects the fact that I,,, have no right to judge Russia,,
Other than to give my true feelings to all of Russia and say,,,
Telling lies to the young is wrong.
proving to them that lies are true is wrong.
Telling them that god is in his heaven and all is well with the world is wrong.
Because the young are people.
The young know what you mean.
Yevgenny Yevtushenko
Our Whole wide World could be at War soon,,, Hell,, Aliens might show up or something worse,,, Angels ready to judge man…The Antichrist.
No matter what happens,, Humanity must try to survive,,, We are all we have.
Sovereignty must remain in tact or we will all be slaves.
Get ready now,,, food,,, water,,, warm cloths,,, survival gear….
Pray for Peace.
Free Russia,,,, Free America,,,, Free China,,,, Free Iran,,, Free our world.
We can be as one and still run our own country,,,
No world dictator is needed,,, No one world government,,, No World military,,,
Just Peace…
Corporations and Churches with Bankers and governments are going to destroy.
our World.
What exactly is the "Price of Freedom".
How Long before mankind can live in Peace.
Justice upside down.
Despots in charge of Love.
A Country without a Soul.
Why must we beg for our Freedom.
The Blood of our Fathers cry's from a grave.
It must be liberty or Death.
I will be no slave to survive.