Russia dismisses foreign criticism of Pussy Riot trial
Western governments have said the sentences handed down to the female band members were unreasonable. Russia's Foreign Ministry calls this criticism 'biased and politically charged.'
Policemen control hooded demonstrators during a protest in solidarity with the Russian punk bank Pussy Riot in Zurich, Switzerland, Monday. Russia denounced foreign criticism of the trial on Wednesday.
Alessandro Della Bella/AP/Keystone
Moskow
Russia denounced foreign criticism of the trial of punk band Pussy Riot as politically motivated on Wednesday and said there were "elements of a clash of civilisations" in Western condemnation.
Three members of the band were sentenced to two years' jail last week for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" when they performed a "punk prayer" in Moscow's main cathedral, calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of President Vladimir Putin.
Right groups called for release
Western governments have said the sentences handed down to Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were disproportionate. Rights groups and musicians have called for their release.
Critics of Putin, who returned to the presidency for a third term on May 7 after a four-year spell as prime minister, say the Pussy Riot case illustrated his lack of tolerance of dissent.
