Scuffles break out at Pussy Riot protest in Moscow
- 12 years ago
Supporters of Russian all-girl punk group Pussy Riot are taunted and attacked whilst picketing Moscow City Court.
They were protesting the detention of two band members for an earlier "punk prayer" protest in Russia's Christ the Saviour Cathedral, entitled "Holy Mother, hush Putin away".
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PUSSY RIOT GROUP SUPPORTER AND PICKET PARTICIPANT DAVID ABRAMOV, SAYING:
"They want to put them on trial for hooliganism for a fairly innocent action they staged in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral. But incredible things are happening right here now: people are provoking and attacking those who are standing in the picket line, while the police are not doing anything. The only thing the police are doing is threatening us."
As well as a group trying to provoke violence, there was another group that sprinkled Pussy Riot supporters with holy water, and tried to prevent them from talking to the media by drowning them out with Bible readings.
Police in riot gear later arrested three Pussy Riot supporters.
The Moscow City Court dismissed a complaint filed against the punk prayer detentions and denied both women bail - they will remain in prison until at least April 24.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.
They were protesting the detention of two band members for an earlier "punk prayer" protest in Russia's Christ the Saviour Cathedral, entitled "Holy Mother, hush Putin away".
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PUSSY RIOT GROUP SUPPORTER AND PICKET PARTICIPANT DAVID ABRAMOV, SAYING:
"They want to put them on trial for hooliganism for a fairly innocent action they staged in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral. But incredible things are happening right here now: people are provoking and attacking those who are standing in the picket line, while the police are not doing anything. The only thing the police are doing is threatening us."
As well as a group trying to provoke violence, there was another group that sprinkled Pussy Riot supporters with holy water, and tried to prevent them from talking to the media by drowning them out with Bible readings.
Police in riot gear later arrested three Pussy Riot supporters.
The Moscow City Court dismissed a complaint filed against the punk prayer detentions and denied both women bail - they will remain in prison until at least April 24.
Nick Rowlands, Reuters.