Bjork voices support for Russian punk band on trial
Icelandic pop star Bjork has voiced her support for jailed Russian rockers Pussy Riot and invited them to join her on stage when they are freed from prison.
Three members of the all-girl band are on trial on hooliganism charges for performing a protest song against Russian President Vladimir Putin in a church in February (12).
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich
face seven years behind bars when they are sentenced next week
(begs13Aug12), but Bjork has urged authorities to let the stars go
free.
In a statement posted on her website, she writes, "As a musician
and a mother I would like to express I fiercely don't agree with
them being put to jail because of their peaceful protest
performance. They are currently standing trial and facing seven
years in prison for this.
"In my opinion the Russian authorities should let them go home to
their families and children. I would like to invite Pussy Riot to
join me in a particular song on stage which was written for all
enhancement of justice."
Meanwhile, Yekaterina Samutsevich's closing statement from the
trial this week (begs06Aug12) has been published online.
Yekaterina Samutsevich explains, "During the closing statement, the
defendant is expected to repent or express regret for her deeds, or
to enumerate attenuating circumstances. In my case, as in the case
of my colleagues in the group, this is completely
unnecessary...
"I now have mixed feelings about this trial. On the one hand, we
now expect a guilty verdict. Compared to the judicial machine, we
are nobodies, and we have lost. On the other hand, we have won. Now
the whole world sees that the criminal case against us has been
fabricated. The system cannot conceal the repressive nature of this
trial.
"Once again, Russia looks different in the eyes of the world from
the way Putin tries to present it at daily international meetings.
All the steps toward a state governed by the rule of law that he
promised have obviously not been made. And his statement that the
court in our case will be objective and make a fair decision is
another deception of the entire country and the international
community."
Actor Elijah Wood has also backed the band, linking to the
statement on his Twitter.com page and declaring, "Beautiful and
standing by their noble intent to the end."