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October 10, 2012
Pussy Riot member freed from jail

After a pro-gay, anti-Putin protest in a Moscow cathedral, a member is freed while two others remain behind bars

A member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot is being set free on appeal today (10 October).

However, Moscow City Court confirmed the two year prison sentences for the two other women in the band after their pro-gay, anti-Putin cathedral protest in February.

Katerina Samutsevich’s lawyer said she had not participated in the masked protest because she had been stopped and led away before it took place.

September 16, 2012
Russian gay activists join thousands to protest Putin

Opposing an 'illegitimate government', gay activists met with other liberals to protest against President Vladmir Putin

Russian gay activists joined thousands of people to protest President Vladimir Putin yesterday (15 September).

Despite Kremlin efforts to muzzle the voices of the opposition, the major protest in Moscow showed the activists’ resilience.

Gay activists met with other liberals on the capital’s boulevards, chanting ‘Russia without Putin’, and ‘We are the power here!’

The protestors remained peaceful as about 7000 police officers stood guard along the route of the march, while a police helicopter hovered overhead.

September 13, 2012
Russia Prime Minister says pro-gay band Pussy Riot may soon be free

Punk rockers Pussy Riot, jailed after protesting Russian President Vladamir Putin, may be released says Dmitry Medvedev

Dmitry Medvedev the Russian Prime Minister has called for three members of the punk band Pussy Riot to be freed.

And he has indicated their release could be imminent since their case comes up for appeal on 1 October.

The band members were arrested for performing a raucous prayer inside Moscow's main cathedral asking the Virgin Mary to save Russia from Vladimir Putin as he headed into the election that handed him a third term as president.

August 22, 2012
Bad Vlad: Put pressure on Putin over gay hate

An appearance at the UN is a chance for the world to show it is against Vladimir Putin’s anti-LGBT abuses, says international rights campaigner Omar Kuddus

Russian leader Vladimir Putin is on a rampage against human rights.

On 17 August the world heard that Putin's courts formally banned pride marches for 100 years in Moscow.

August 21, 2012
Hackers attack Pussy Riot court website

Cyber activists from Anonymous claim responsibility for posting video of Bulgarian gay singer on website of court which jailed Russian punk band Pussy Riot

Hackers have attacked the website of a Moscow court that sentenced the pro-gay punk band Pussy Riot.

The cyber activists defaced the site of Khamovnichesky District Court this morning (21 August) with slogans against Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as posting a video of openly gay Bulgarian singer Aziz.

It's unclear why Aziz was chosen but the pop star is known for his lyrics about sex, money and luxury properties.

A new song by Pussy Riot called Putin is Lighting the Fires of the Revolution was also uploaded.

August 20, 2012
Stephen Fry blasts 'fool' Putin over jailed Pussy Riot

Gay comic Stephen Fry joins campaign to free jailed members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot who staged anti-Putin protest in Moscow's Orthodox cathedral

Gay actor and comedian Stephen Fry has written a two-page open letter of support to the imprisoned members of Russian protest band Pussy Riot.

In the letter, Fry calls himself 'an unashamed Russophile' and lambasts Russia for its 'monstrous injustice and preposterous tyranny' in the case, calling the women’s two-year prison sentence 'astoundingly unfair and disproportionate'.

August 17, 2012
Pussy Riot jailed for two years over pro-gay protest

Human rights campaigners slam sentencing of Russian punk band, calling it a 'bitter blow for freedom of expression'

Three members of Russian female punk band Pussy Riot have been jailed for two years for staging an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were found guilty today (17 August) of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s central Orthodox cathedral.

August 17, 2012
Russian pro-gay punk band Pussy Riot found guilty of 'hooliganism'

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova found guilty of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s central Orthodox cathedral

Three members of Russian female punk band Pussy Riot have been found guilty of 'religious hooliganism' for staging an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s central Orthodox cathedral.

August 3, 2012
Putin urges leniency over pro-gay punk group Pussy Riot

Madonna, Sting, and Jarvis Cocker are among the celebrities urging Russian president to release the three women

Russian president Vladimir Putin says Russian punk trio Pussy Riot should not face tough sentencing for their pro-gay protest in Moscow.

The female musicians are on trial over hooliganism charges after a video of their anti-Putin song appeared online.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused on the grounds of ‘religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox church.

August 2, 2012
David Cameron urged to pressure Putin over Pussy Riot trial

Amnesty International calls on UK prime minister to 'dispense with the kid gloves' during talks with Russian president in London today

Activists are calling on British Prime Minister David Cameron to pressure Russian President Vladamir Putin over the trial of pro-gay punk protesters Pussy Riot during his visit to London today (2 August).

Amnesty International has urged Cameron to 'dispense with the kid gloves' in talks with Putin and raise the issue of the Pussy Riot trial and Russia’s increasing intolerance of legitimate dissent.

July 30, 2012
Pussy Riot trial over pro-gay Putin protest begins

Human rights campaigners denounce trial of Russian female punk band as 'politically motivated'

Three members of Russian female punk band Pussy Riot pleaded not guilty to 'religious hooliganism' as the trial into an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights began.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were accused of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' for singing a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox church.

July 23, 2012
Punk group Pussy Riot due in court over pro-gay Putin protest

Human rights campaigners call for Russian female punk band members to be released after four months in detention

Russian female punk band Pussy Riot are due to appear in court today (23 July) over an anti-Putin protest which spoke out for gay rights.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevich and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova are accused of 'hooliganism on the grounds of religious hatred' after singing a protest song in Moscow’s main Orthodox church.

April 23, 2012
Man cleared of gay propaganda charge in Russia

Judge cites lack of evidence in charges against straight attorney Sergey Kondrashov

Sergey Kondrashov is a straight attorney who was arrested for holding up a gay rights banner in Saint Petersburg, Russia, two weeks ago.

He was charged with the promotion and propaganda of homosexuality under a new law that officially prevents the ‘propaganda of homosexuality to minors.’ Kondrashov was also charged with disobeying a police officer.

On Monday (23 April), he was found guilty only of the latter charge with the judge in the case citing a lack of evidence, and protocols.