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img_606X341_2007-pussy-riot-russiaRussian girl group “Pussy Riot” who caused a storm by mounting a political protest in a Cathedral in Moscow earlier this year, are today standing trial accused of hooliganism.

The three women have been held in jail since early March awaiting trial, despite two of the group having young children.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, a member of Pussy Riot, admitted that they had made an ethical mistake by mounting a protest within the church, but said: “An ethical mistake should not be punished as a crime.”

People in Russia are severely divided on the case, with many devout Russian Orthodox  Christians outraged. One member of the public saying “It was blasphemy. Russia is the last Orthodox power in the world, and they need to go to prison.”

The case takes place amidst severe political upheaval in the Russian capital, with some worried that the group will not receive a fair trial.

Amnesty International have also launched an appeal to free the three women saying: “The charges against the women should be dropped, Russian authorities were wrong to charge the women with the serious criminal charge of hooliganism, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.”

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