The verdict in the kangaroo show trial against Russian punk bank Pussy Riot is expected 11 AM Friday Moscow time. Their “crime” is that they dared criticize the thug Putin. Artists, musicians, and supporters of freedom of speech are mobilizing worldwide in protest.
The global campaign to free Pussy Riot is gaining speed: Supporters of the punk provocateur band mobilize this week in at least a two dozen cities worldwide to hold simultaneous demonstrations an hour before a Russian court rules on whether its members will be sent to prison.
It is certainly possible the court will pretend to be munificent and release the band with time served. But three members have already spent months in prison on bogus charges and Putin’s nasty message of suppression of dissent has already been sent.