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The Beginning
Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk rock protest group based in Moscow. It was founded in August 2011 and the members are known for their signatory use of coloured balaclavas and nicknames during interviews. -
"Punk Prayer - Mother of God, Chase Putin Away!"
In February 2012, five members of the group staged a performance on the soleas of Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior. They were stopped by church security but by evening, they had turned it into a music video entitled "Punk Prayer - Mother of God, Chase Putin Away!".The women said their protest was directed at the Orthodox Church leader's support for Putin during his election campaign. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPDkJbTQRCY -
The Arrest: Part One
Two members, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina, were arrested and charged with hooliganism. -
The Arrest: Part Two
A third member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, was arrested on the 16th. All three were denied bail until their trail in July. -
Sentencing
The three arrested members were convicted and senteced for two years of imprisonment on charges of hooliganism. Yekaterina Samutsevich however, was let off on probation. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were separated and sent to Mordovia. -
Aftermath
Vladimir Putin signed a bill imposing jail terms and fines for insulting people's religious feelings, in a response to "Punk Prayer" performed by Pussy Riot. Maria Alyokhina pledged not to do anymore shows at churches. -
Hunger Strike
Tolokonnikova announced that she was staging a hunger strike in protest against the alleged human rights violations in the prison. She was imprisoned in Mordovia's IK-47, one of the harsher correctional facilities. Guardian published her letter of protest and it received a lot of media attention. -
Hunger Strike: Reactions
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is to be transferred to a new penitentiary for her "personal safety" after she resolved to continue her hunger strike. -
Amnesty
President Vladimir Putin has sanctioned a "broad" amnesty for the 20th anniversary of the Constitution, set on December 12. Though unclear as to whom the amnesty will apply to, it is expected that a large number of inmates will be freed, including the mothers of young children and nonviolent offenders. -
Release
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina are set to be released in March 2014.
