Pussy Riot is a Russian feminist punk-rock band that focuses their music on human rights. Song lyrics involve topics on feminism and LGBT rights. However, they have become famous for their opposition to the Russian president, Valdimir Putin, and his connection to Russian Orthodox Church.
During February of last year, members of the band attempted to protest the church’s support of Putin by performing on the soleas of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, a famous Orthodox Christian church in Moscow. Not only were the members stopped, but two were arrested. Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina were sentenced to two years in prison for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.
Tolokonnikova’s appeal for parole was denied last month. Alyokhina’s appeal, however, is more complicated.
Maria Alyokhina claims she is now going on a hunger strike after she was denied permission to attend her own parole appeal hearing. She watched the trail on a video conference and ordered her defense to refuse to participate since the court was violating her rights. Consequently, her hearing was postponed until Thursday.
