Madonna says jailing Russia's Pussy Riot would be tragedy
Tuesday, 07 August 2012
Pop singer Madonna urged Russia on Monday not to jail three women from the punk band Pussy Riot for staging a protest in a church, while jailed former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky likened their trial to a medieval inquisition.
Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, face up to seven years in jail for storming the altar of Moscow's main cathedral on February 21 and belting out a 'punk prayer' calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin, the prime minister who has since returned to the presidency.
Madonna weighed into a trial which the opposition says is part of a wider crackdown on dissent by Putin after the biggest protests since he rose to power in 2000.
In Moscow to give a concert and open a branch of her own fitness club, the American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and actor added her voice to other international singers such as Sting and Red Hot Chili Peppers who have appealed for leniency.
'I am against censorship and throughout my whole career I've always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech. So obviously, I think that what happened to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair,' Madonna, whose songs include 'Like a Virgin' and 'Like a Prayer' and have also courted controversy, told Reuters Television.
'I hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. That would be a tragedy,' she said. 'I think art should be political. Historically speaking, art always reflects what's going on socially. So for me, it's hard to separate the idea of being an artist and being political.'
The band's stunt infuriated church leaders and the Kremlin and upset many Orthodox Christian believers for whom the Christ the Saviour Cathedral is a sacred place of worship and its pulpit a place reserved exclusively for priests.
Accused of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, the three woman on trial said they wanted their performance to be considered as a political act directed against the church merging with state security services.
'There is a big difference between criticism and hatred. Protest is not hatred and it is not violence,' Alyokhina told the court on Monday.
Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, face up to seven years in jail for storming the altar of Moscow's main cathedral on February 21 and belting out a 'punk prayer' calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin, the prime minister who has since returned to the presidency.
Madonna weighed into a trial which the opposition says is part of a wider crackdown on dissent by Putin after the biggest protests since he rose to power in 2000.
In Moscow to give a concert and open a branch of her own fitness club, the American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and actor added her voice to other international singers such as Sting and Red Hot Chili Peppers who have appealed for leniency.
'I am against censorship and throughout my whole career I've always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech. So obviously, I think that what happened to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair,' Madonna, whose songs include 'Like a Virgin' and 'Like a Prayer' and have also courted controversy, told Reuters Television.
'I hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. That would be a tragedy,' she said. 'I think art should be political. Historically speaking, art always reflects what's going on socially. So for me, it's hard to separate the idea of being an artist and being political.'
The band's stunt infuriated church leaders and the Kremlin and upset many Orthodox Christian believers for whom the Christ the Saviour Cathedral is a sacred place of worship and its pulpit a place reserved exclusively for priests.
Accused of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, the three woman on trial said they wanted their performance to be considered as a political act directed against the church merging with state security services.
'There is a big difference between criticism and hatred. Protest is not hatred and it is not violence,' Alyokhina told the court on Monday.
From Reuters Via Yahoo! News
Dear Yawan
With respect, I think you're putting the cart before the horse: If Madonna wasn't touring there and opening a gym, the *media* might not have *asked her* about the Pussy Riot court proceedings.
But take it a step further back: if the powers-that-be in Russia hadn't abused their power, then there wouldn't have been any need for anyone to comment on anything at all.
Posted by: Jim | Saturday, 11 August 2012 at 01:14 AM
If madonna was protecting her interest in Russia she wouldnt be voicing her support of these women. do u not see the flaw and stupidity in that comment? Madonna has always been critical of the catholic church and of certain politicians that may or may not be dictators in disguise. this is just her having the balls to stand behind her convictions. in fact by standing up and voicing her support, she puts her business interests in jeopardy in a big way since Russia is a deeply devout nation. get a clue or something, jeez
Posted by: DV | Wednesday, 08 August 2012 at 04:29 PM
Madonna ia a bandwagon-jumper. Were it not for the fact that she has a vested interest in Russia - touring there and opening one of "her" gyms - then she wouldn't have even mentioned the Pussy Riot case.
It is M's usual faux "controversy".
Posted by: Yawan | Wednesday, 08 August 2012 at 11:07 AM
lets hope it will make the russian government drop all charges - I am interested to see what comments she will have tonight on the introduction of very homophobic laws - she has great ability to get her point of view heard & acted upon -
it's a shame to see Elton John continue his very misogynistic attacks on madonna - it reflects very badly on him -
Posted by: anto | Tuesday, 07 August 2012 at 06:54 PM
Of course it will help. But She at least should kiss Putin's hand as all russian religious people do
Posted by: Leotar | Tuesday, 07 August 2012 at 05:09 PM
This will help because we know how much Madonna is loved by Russian authorities.
Posted by: scubi92 | Tuesday, 07 August 2012 at 02:57 PM