Three young women are being detained by Russian authorities for allegedly performing a protest song in a cathedral as part of feminist punk group "Pussy Riot".

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich were arrested in March 2012 and charged with "hooliganism". 

The three women deny any involvement in the protest although even if they took part, the severity of the actions by the Russian authorities would not be a justifiable response to the peaceful expression of their political beliefs. 

Russian prosecutors are seeking three years in prison for the musicians. This is despite the fact that last Tuesday their Defence lawyer, Mark Feygin, argued that the case against the women did not stand up because they had been charged with hooliganism under Article 213 of the Russian penal code, yet no violence or damage had occurred or been threatened. 

A whole range of rock and pop musicians and others have stood up and supported Pussy Riot. 

Madonna has stated: "I am against censorship and my whole career I always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech, so obviously I think what's happening to them is unfair." 

"The EU is concerned about the reported irregularities related to this case since the group members were arrested in March, in particular the grounds for and conditions of their pre-detention," said a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. 

On 6th August, the sixth day of the Pussy Riot trial was attended by UK MP Kerry McCarthy. She is a former Foreign Office Minister and currently works with the Shadow Foreign Secretary. 

Even Putin said last week that the women should not be judged "too harshly." 

Every little push on this door will help to make a difference. 

The BBC website features a clip of the song which the Russian authorities find so objectionable and an interview with Madonna. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19163042 

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Keep up to date with this case at http://freepussyriot.org/ 

Tell the Russian authorities to drop all charges and release them! 

In view of the urgency of this matter, I suggest you email messages to the Russian Embassy. There is a text below (adapted from Amnesty USA) for you to amend and use if you wish, but your own thoughts would be better still! But please bear in mind the plea for ”tact” as requested by Pussy Riot themselves in a statement: 

"Perhaps our behavior is perceived by many as defiant and obnoxious. This is not the case.
We are in desperate circumstances, in which indifference is difficult to maintain.
We are happy to hear of those who support us in this process, however the harshness and rudeness of our opponents are still puzzling. Anyway, we would like to thank the understanding and merciful people who urge both sides to engage in a dialogue and not in mutual scolding.
We emphasize that we advocate for non-violence and hold a grudge against no one; our laughter is, in a sense, laughter through the tears, and our sarcasm is a reaction to the lawlessness.
We ask our defenders, as well as the people who accuse us: be tactful, however painful and difficult it may be. 

E. Samutsevich 
N. Tolokonnikova
M. Alekhina" 

The e-mail of the Russian Embassy in London is: info@rusemb.org.uk 

"Your Excellency 

I am deeply concerned about the detention of Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for allegedly performing a protest song in a cathedral as part of a feminist punk group “Pussy Riot”. The three women, who are all in their twenties, have been charged with hooliganism under Article 213 of the Russian Criminal Code, for allegedly performing a protest song in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral on 21 February. The three women deny any involvement in the protest in the cathedral. A sentence of three years has been proposed. 

Since the three women's arrest, some of their family members as well as one of their lawyers have received threats. Even though the police and the Moscow Prosecutor's Office have been informed about these threats, there appears to be no investigation into the incidents. In addition, the tax authorities have reportedly blocked the bank account of the lawyers' association where the lawyer of one of the three women works. 

I respectfully urge the dropping of the charges of hooliganism and immediately and unconditionally release Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova. Furthermore, I call for an immediate and impartial investigation into the threats received by the family members and lawyers of the three women and, if necessary, ensure their protection. Whether or not the women were involved in the performance in the cathedral, freedom of expression is a human right under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and no one should be jailed for the peaceful exercise of this right. Thank you for your attention to this serious matter."