Pussy Riot Members To Be Freed by Putin

The rumor has been confirmed, they will be freed under the amnesty bill by the Kremlin to mark the Russian constitution’s 20th anniversary.

Two members of Pussy Riot, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina have been in prison over a year.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Two members of Pussy Riot, the punk protest group in Russia, have been imprisoned since March 3, 2012. There were 11 women in the group originally, all between 20 and 33 years old. They broke the law by staging performances in unusual public locations, "provocative" and unauthorized performances, to get the attention of the public and the world.

They chose several themes that drew the ire of government and Church officials. These outspoken women sang about feminism, LGBT rights, their opposition to policies of their president, Vladimir Putin, and accused the leadership of the Russian Orthodox Church and Putin of working together. That just did not please the Russian powers that be. "Freedom of Speech" is a foreign term for their citizens.

Three members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich, were charged with "hooliganism". They were denied bail and on August 17, 2012, they were convicted and sentenced to two years in prison for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred”. Putin stated that the band had "undermined the moral foundations" of the nation and "got what they asked for".

Samutsevich was freed on probation on October 10, following an appeal, and her sentence was suspended. The sentences of the other two women were upheld.

Today, the Voice Report spoke to Pyotr Verzilov, husband of imprisoned member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who is confirming the rumors about both members, Nadya and Maria Alyokhina, being freed under the amnesty bill being submitted by the Kremlin to parliament to mark the Russian constitution’s 20th anniversary on Thursday. Nadya’s father Andrei has also been able to confirm this from “reliable sources.”

“It’s from the Kremlin and official already, they will be freed,” Pyotr told The Voice Report. Though he added, “We do not know yet when this will happen, because it is unclear when the bill will be voted by the Duma and how fast it will be applied to prisons – could be from 2 weeks to 2 months until they are freed.”

The two young mothers may soon be with their children and activists around the world will rise in celebration. Let Freedom ring.

"Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer," a film exploring the characters behind Russia's most talked about feminist art collective, has made the longlist for Best Documentary in the 2014 Academy Awards. WATCH BELOW:

Sources: Voiceproject.org

Bonnie King has been Publisher of Salem-News.com since August '04. She is a photographer and video producer, writer, editor and mother, which she considers her greatest position. Bonnie has served in a number of positions in the broadcast industry; TV Production Manager at KVWB (Las Vegas WB) and Producer/Director for the TV series "Hot Wheels in Las Vegas", posts as TV Promotion Director for KYMA (NBC), and KFBT (Ind.), Asst. Marketing Director (SUPERSHOPPER MAGAZINE), Director/Co-Host (Coast Entertainment Show), Radio Promotion Director (KBCH/KCRF), and Newspapers In Education/Circulation Sales Manager (STATESMAN JOURNAL NEWSPAPER).

Bonnie has a depth of understanding that reaches further than just behind the scenes, and that thoroughness is demonstrated in the perseverance to correctly present each story with the wit and wisdom necessary to compel and captivate viewers and readers alike. An lifetime activist for just causes, she continues to strive to present facts that support Truth, Justice and Peace, as we are in the world to change the world for the better. "TJP"

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