RUSSIA: Pussy Riot Found Guilty, Sentenced To Two Years In Prison

Female punkers and anti-Putin activists Pussy Riot were found guilty of "hooliganism" in a Moscow court today.

Judge Marina Syrova said the women had "crudely undermined social order" during their action in February. The women say their "punk prayer" was a political act in protest against the Russian Orthodox Church leader's support of President Vladimir Putin. Prosecutors are seeking a three-year jail sentence. The verdict is still being read out. Judge Syrova said Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, had offended the feelings of Orthodox believers and shown a "complete lack of respect". "Tolokonnikova, Alyokhina and Samutsevich committed hooliganism - in other words, a grave violation of public order," she said. The judge quoted prosecution witnesses as saying the act had been one of blasphemy, not politics.

The band's arrest spawned solidarity protests around the world and support from major pop stars such as Pete Townsend, Bjork, and Madonna, who denounced the Russian government from the stage at last week's concert in Moscow.

UPDATE: Pussy Riot has been sentenced to two years in prison.