Pussy Riot jailed for 2 years

Despite widespread international protests the Russian punk band Pussy Riot was jailed for 2 years last week. Their crime; hooliganism. A totally ridiculous charge because everyone knows that the three young women were jailed for criticizing President Putin. In a church in February they asked Mother Mary to relieve them of Putin. This was enough for 2 years in a labour camp. This camp must be far away from Moscow as well, so that it is harder for family and supporters to reach them.

With this sentence Putin has shown that he is nothing more than an ordinary dictator. In fact he is more suited to being in charge of a banana republic. When we think further, and also look at the reactionary power of the Russian orthodox church, we must conclude that between them they have turned the former Soviet Union into a large banana republic, where corruption is a way of life and any protest is brutally repressed.

Pussy Riot will appeal against their sentence and in response the Russian police are now looking for other members of the group. Protests against this situation can be heard everywhere, but it is doubtful whether this will have any effect. The arrogance of the ruling group has gone too far for that.

Pussy Riot has already said that they will not appeal to Putin for clemency, as is their right. A wise move, which shows that these three young women have something which Putin totally lacks: principles.