By Connie Hong
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

MOSCOW, Russia – Two members of Pussy Riot, a Russian feminist punk band, had fled the country in order to avoid prosecution for their involvement in an anti-Putin performance held at the alter of Christ the Savior cathedral.  Their decision to leave the country comes after the conviction of three of their band mates for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.  The three women were sentenced to two years of jail time, but their defense lawyers are expected to soon appeal their sentences.

Earlier this week, Russian law enforcement released a statement saying that they were on the hunt to locate other members of the band.  Their statement was seen as a warning to other band members to cease their protesting activities.

News of the two member’s departure came from a Twitter account named “Pussy Riot Group.”  The account posted a message stating, “In regard to the pursuit, two of our members have successfully fled the country!  They are recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new actions!”  The message remained silent as to the identity of the two women and the country that they had fled to.

Pyotr Verzilov, husband of one of the three women sentenced, affirmed the Twitter message.  On Sunday, he told Reuters that two members of Pussy Riot did indeed leave the country, and that those two had taken part in the anti-Putin performance that his wife was involved in.

“Since the Moscow police said they are searching for them, they will keep a low profile for now.  They are in a safe place beyond the reach of the Russian police.

In response to the question of whether that meant the two members are in a country that had no extradition agreement with Russia, he answered, “Yes, that suggests that.”

Although two members have fled Russia and three are facing jail time, Verzilov reminds us that Pussy Riot is far from being shut down.  “But you must remember that 12 or even 14 members who are still in Russia actively participate in the band’s work now, it’s a big collective,” he said.

Remaining band members have expressed no intention of stopping their protesting activities any time soon.  In another Twitter message, the group wrote, “We want to disappoint Kremlin bastards: 2 women have left the country because of the dangers, but there are at least 12 members of Pussy Riot who remain in Russia.”

 

For further information, please see:

Boston Globe — Two Pussy Riot members flee Russia to escape arrest — 26 August 2012

MSNBC — Rebel punk band Pussy Riot says two members flee Russia — 26 August 2012

RT — Two wanted Pussy Riot members flee Russia to recruit foreign feminists — 26 August 2012

USA Today — Pussy Riot members flee Russia to escape arrest — 26 August 2012