Members of Pussy Riot remain under arrest

On May 11, 2012, the Moscow City Court rejected the complaint of the participants' lawyers group Pussy Riot and recognized as lawful the extension of the arrest of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich until June 24.

Recall that on April 19, 2012, the Tagansky District Court of Moscow decided to extend the arrest of the alleged participants in the punk action in the Cathedral of Christ Savior, accused of hooliganism under Part 2 of Art. 213 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, until June 24.

Failed to protect the members of the punk band and request a copy of the comprehensive judicial psychological and linguistic expertise in the case, which, in the opinion of the lawyer Violetta Volkova, indicates the absence of guilt of the punk band members. "Experts came to the conclusion that the song does not contain a religious motive of hatred or enmity. The only thing that is possibly present in the actions of girls is insulting the feelings of believers. And that only because the believers themselves were offended. Insult - the administrative composition of the offense with punishment in the form fine, so we believe that our clients are in custody illegal ," Volkova said.

The court refused Volkova, referring to the fact that at this stage the issue of proof guilt, the investigation has not yet been completed and an additional examination has been appointed.

As a reminder, we do not consider it lawful to prosecute those accused of participating in a rally in Cathedral of Christ the Savior according to Part 2 of Art. 213 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (hooliganism committed by a group persons by prior agreement), and, accordingly, their arrest on criminal charges.

Sources

• Moscow City Court leaves all three defendants in the Pussy Riot case in custody // RAPSI. 2012. May 11.