Pussy Riot Members Sentenced to Russian Prison in Absentia

A Moscow court has handed down prison sentences in absentia to five members of the feminist art collective Pussy Riot for their involvement in anti-war protests and performances critical of the Russian government. The jail terms, ranging from eight to 13 years, were delivered by Judge Evgeniya Nikolaeva of Moscow’s Basmanny District Court, as reported by Mediazona, the news outlet founded by Pussy Riot.

The activists Maria “Masha” Alyokhina, Diana Burkot, Olga Borisova, Alina Petrova, and Taso Pletner were accused of spreading “false information” about the Russian military in their 2022 anti-war music video “Mama, Don’t Watch TV,” as well as in a 2024 performance at the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich where a member urinated on a portrait of Vladimir Putin.

Maria Alyokhina, one of the founding members of Pussy Riot, received the longest prison sentence of 13 years and 15 days. Taso Pletner was sentenced to 11 years, while the remaining three members were each given eight-year terms. The prosecutor had initially requested even longer sentences for the activists.

Diana Burkot, one of the convicted members, expressed her defiance in a statement posted on social media platform X, calling the verdict a “joke.” She criticized the disparity in sentencing, highlighting that rapists and murderers in Russia often receive shorter prison terms than activists voicing their opinions.

Pussy Riot, known for their provocative performances wearing balaclavas, has been actively protesting Putin’s regime and Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, which have resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians. Co-founder Nadya Tolokonnikova was also targeted by Russian authorities for her involvement in anti-Putin protests.

In her statement, Burkot condemned Russia’s aggression towards Ukraine and called for Putin to be held accountable before the International Criminal Court in The Hague. She emphasized the importance of activism in standing up against the erosion of democracy and vowed to continue speaking out against injustice.

Despite the harsh sentences imposed by the court, Burkot remained resolute, declaring that even if she were in Russia, she would continue to voice her dissent. The fight for justice and freedom of expression continues for Pussy Riot and other activists facing persecution for their beliefs.