Two Members Of ‘Pussy Riot’ Escape Russia

MOSCOW, Russia – Two members of the Russian punk band “Pussy Riot” have escaped the country, and further punishment from Vladimir Putin, following a protest that landed three of the band members in prison.

Five members of the feminist band took part in a protest/performance inside Moscow’s main cathedral in February, specifically critical of the Russian leader’s rule and his relationship with the Orthodox Church. During the protest, the women wore their trademark balaclavas, making it difficult for police to identify them. Still, three of the band members were arrested after the concert.

Their story garnered much controversy and international media attention, with many celebrities and politicians condemning their arrest and criticizing Putin’s crackdown on dissent.

After a controversial trial, the three imprisoned “Pussy Riot” members were convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in prison. Moscow police have continued searching for the other band members in an effort to stop the group’s anti-Putin protests.

As the judge was reading the verdict of the three imprisoned “Pussy Riot” members, one of the band members who had escaped arrest played the band’s newest song, “Putin sets the fires of revolutions,” from a balcony across the street from the courthouse.

The band’s Twitter account related on Sunday that the two members who had avoided arrest had escaped the country, and were currently abroad, “recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new protest actions,” though it wasn’t said where they went. Roughly 12 members of “Pussy Riot” remain in Russia, according to another Twitter message.

We’re going on with our fight and music, Mr. DeVito! RT @dannydevito: What’s up with Pussy Riot? Anyone know.

— ?????? Pussy Riot (@pussy_riot) August 27, 2012