MOSCOW — A Russian court is set to hear an appeal filed by three jailed members of the rock band Pussy Riot, who have been sentenced to two years for performing a "punk prayer" against President Vladimir Putin at Moscow's main cathedral.
A day before Monday’s hearing, the Russian
Orthodox Church said the rockers would deserve mercy if they offer
repentance for their stunt. The move followed a statement by the Russian premier, who said that keeping them in prison any longer would be “unproductive.”
The
calls reflected an apparent desire by both the government and the
church to put an end to the case, which has caused international
outrage. It remained unclear whether the women would offer penitence
sought by the church and how much leniency a court may show.
