Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (Prime Minister being an informal term as Russia is governed by a President) has publicly stated that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Yekaterina Samutsevich and Maria Alyokhina, the three jailed members of punk collective Pussy Riot, have been behind bars long enough and should be released.
The Wall Street Journal reported that during a recent regional meeting for the ruling United Russia Party, Medvedev commented that the 2-year sentence is excessive and should be suspended.
“The term is very strong. I would even say a terrible burden,” Medvedev spoke while being televised, “I don’t want to replace the judge … but the time they have already served is, in essence, more than enough to make them think about what happened, whether it was from their own stupidity or for other reasons.”
“Prolonging their time in prison in connection to this case seems unproductive,” Medvedev added.
However, as noted by Rolling Stone, Medvedev isn’t exactly sympathetic to Pussy Riot’s plight. The PM said he was “sickened” by the band’s protest performance at Moscow’s Christ The Saviour Cathedral and the ensuing “hysteria” Pussy Riot caused.
As reported yesterday by Music Feeds, Pussy Riot is soon to release an eBook titled Pussy Riot! A Punk Prayer for Freedom in order to help cover ongoing legal fees.
