Russian Court Declares Pussy Riot Extremist, Imposes Prison Terms on Five Members

On Monday, a Moscow court declared the feminist protest group Pussy Riot an extremist organization, effectively banning the group from operating in Russia and exposing anyone connected with it to criminal prosecution.

The Rise of a Controversial Voice

Pussy Riot first entered the public eye in 2012 when its members performed a provocative “punk prayer” against President Vladimir Putin from the pulpit of Russia’s largest cathedral. The act sparked international attention and positioned the group as a vocal, though controversial, voice within the country’s opposition.

Life in Exile

Today, the core members of Pussy Riot largely operate from abroad, continuing to criticize the Kremlin’s policies and advocating for civil liberties. Their work remains influential, but their presence in Russia has become increasingly fraught.

September Sentencing

In September, a Russian court handed jail terms to five individuals linked with the group: Maria Alyokhina, Taso Pletner, Olga Borisova, Diana Burkot, and Alina Petrova. The court found them guilty of spreading “false information” about the Russian military, a verdict reported by the news outlet Mediazona.

Mediazona’s Roots

Mediazona was founded by Alyokhina together with fellow Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. The outlet’s coverage of the sentencing underscored the intertwined nature of the group’s activism and its legal challenges.

The Case’s Catalysts

The charges stemmed from an anti‑war music video produced by Pussy Riot and an art performance in Germany where Pletner urinated on a portrait of President Putin. These acts were cited by the court as evidence of the group’s alleged dissemination of false military information.

Sentence Details

Maria Alyokhina received a 13‑year prison term, while Taso Pletner was sentenced to 11 years. The remaining three—Burkot, Petrova, and Borisova—each faced eight years of imprisonment. All defendants have publicly rejected the charges, labeling them as politically motivated.

Key Takeaways

• Pussy Riot was officially designated an extremist organization by Moscow’s Tverskoy District Court.
• Five members were sentenced to prison for alleged false statements about the Russian military.
• The court’s decision follows a broader crackdown on dissenting voices in Russia.

The ruling marks a significant escalation in the Russian government’s efforts to silence opposition groups, reinforcing the legal risks faced by activists who challenge state narratives.