You're reading: Poland: Walesa calls Pussy Riot prank ‘tasteless’

WARSAW, Poland — Lech Walesa says he found the anti-Putin demonstration in Russia by members of Pussy Riot to be "tasteless" but opposes the two-year prison sentences they got for it. 

Lech Walesa, the founder of Solidarity and a former president, said he opposes censorship but doesn’t believe such political statements should take place in churches.

A devout Roman Catholic, Walesa spoke Wednesday evening during a talk show on TVN24, a private all-news station.

Walesa said: “I don’t support the punishment, but this was tasteless. The kicking and stuff is too much for the sanctuary.”

“I wouldn’t want censorship, but to make such outrageous acts in a sanctuary is an offense against faith.”

Three Pussy Riot members were convicted of hooliganism last month and imprisoned.