Russian prosecutor wants three year jail term for Pussy Riot punk band

Russian prosecutors have called for the three members of the punk band Pussy Riot to be jailed for three years.

The trio have spent five months behind bars accused of hooliganism after performing a ‘punk prayer’ in Moscow’s main cathedral in February.

State Prosecutor Alexei Nikiforov said their actions had “shown religious hatred and hostility”.

The young women were protesting the Russian Orthodox Church’s backing for Vladimir Putin, who earlier this year sought a third term as president.

Madonna has joined a growing chorus calling for the women to be freed.

The pop icon, who was in Moscow for a concert on Monday, said it would be a tragedy if they received the maximum sentence of seven years.

The band’s stunt upset many Orthodox Christian believers who say the lyrics were blasphemous.

Their song called for the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin.

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