Macca supports Pussy Riot

16/08/12 18:13 CET

world news

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On the eve of the verdict in the Pussy Riot prosecution Sir Paul McCartney has written an open letter urging the Russian band to stay strong.

“I very much hope the Russian authorities will not feel they have to punish you for your protest,” he wrote. Sir Paul also promised to support them and the idea of artistic freedom.

Meanwhile the judge in the case has been assigned a bodyguard. Anna Usacheva, the head of Moscow City Court press service said: “Moscow City Court believes that the security of the judge Marina Syrova should be properly ensured. This decision is the result of increasing threats against her. Some of those threats were made on the internet”.

The Pussy Riot Rock band protested about links between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian president by performing impromptu in Moscow’s main cathedral.

The case has attracted international attention, many musicians and free speech advocates defending the Russian punk rockers. If convicted the band could be jailed for up to three years.

A demonstration in Poland on Thursday overshadowed a reconciliation visit from Russian Orthodox church leaders to Catholic leaders in Poland.