What vandalism?

What stupidity!
What vandalism?

What a stupid statement!

Well said Arch. nnMost seem to want to reduce this to a mere protest against Putin. It was much more than that, as anyone who knows the history of that cathedral can attest. nnThey could have sung their song outside the cathedral and there would have been no real issue with it. nnOne also wonders who the true Stalinists are here – their supporters took a chainsaw and cut down a crucifix erected in memory of Stalin’s victims in Ukraine. A truly horrendous act of cultural and historical vandalism that should be condemned by all fair minded people. nn(Again, to emphasise, two years in prison is too harsh in my opinion, but they are definitely guilty and deserving of some lesser punishment – Pussy Riot are not innocent).

@ Tracy Williams

Again – what bloody vandalism?
What was destroyed or broken!

There was an interruption of the peace into what could be called a sacred area – but there was NO VANDALISM – kop yourselfs on. Look it up in any decent dictionary and stop posting crap terms which DO NOT apply. Saying they are guilty of “vandalism” is just showing ones stupidity in not even bother ones ass to learn what the word actually means!

It might have been disrespectful of the worshippers – they might have decided to protest during a religious moment – however the very facts is that they DID NOT commit any “vandalism” or say anything that espoused they were inciting hatred towards religion.

They were actually protesting against Putin inserting himself and abusing religious orders to get his way.
They were by effect, standing up for religion – not espousing hatred of it.

Go actually learn the facts and/or listen to their very words.

Anyone that says they were guilty of “vandalism” or even religious hatred is an uneducated idiot!
A person devoid of the actual facts or one that refuses to actually look at them.

Biggins – the very fact of interrupting the religious service was an act of religious hatred, and that’s before we even get to the lyrics. nnBy the way, I assume you have studied the relevant Russian law on vandalism and hooliganism and the ways it has been interpreted in past cases? Because if you can’t you’re pretty devoid of facts yourself. The legal interpretation of terms is different from their lay meaning…

@ Tracy Williams

All the ‘lay’ meaning in the world do not apply.
Spin it as you can try – there was NO vandalism by any means, by ANY reading of ANY modern dictionary.
Of course the Russian government might wish to spin it that way the fools that believe them, are swallowing their lying crap it seems.

Interrupting the religious service in their case was NOT religious hatred.
If you bothered to actually look at what they were protesting about, why they were there on the day, their were standing UP for religion – not espousing hatred of it or any – but one would actually have to look at the very facts to see that!

In the case of Russian law on vandalism and hooliganism and the ways it has been interpreted, its been done that way so that the Russian government can twist its very true meaning and apply it to what ever the hell they like and so that fools will swallow their twisting of it.

Well guess what – the rest of use are reading “Vandalism” as its actually broken down into as per every modern dictionary the world over – and not swallowing the twisted spinned schite that a corrupt Russian govern is espousing.

Anyone that is completely stupid enough to take the Russian government crap and think they are right and the rest of the words dictionary’s are wrong – is deluded and blind to say the least!

There was no vandalism.

Now you go learn some facts. It seems you need to learn a lot more of them!

Dear Biggins:nnThank you for your personal abuse. It doesn’t surprise me in the least, given the group of hooligans you support. nnFYI I am no fan of Russia or Putin. I am well able to dislike him and his abuse of human rights while simultaneously recognising the wrong that Pussy Riot have perpetrated. I am also able to recognise that they have committed a crime while simultaneously recognising that the sentence was too harsh. nnAs for facts… I have seen the videos. I have read the lyrics. Their actions were atrocious. nnWhat do you make of Femen’s support of Pussy Riot in Ukraine – cutting down a crucifix erected to commemorate victims of Stalin. Is this a pro-religion move as well? nnBy the way, you really must grasp the fact that ordinary dictionary definitions have little or no relevance when it comes to interpreting the law. Crimes have specific definitions that may be very different to the dictionary definition. nnHave a good day.

Dear Tracey

They were actually convicted of hooliganism based on supposed religious hatred.
Now if you bothered to check your facts you would know this.

Vandalism? Kop on!

Biggins – please show me where I said they were convicted of vandalism. nnI never said any such thing. nnDo you think bursting into a cathedral during a religious service, invading the sanctuary and singing anti-religious songs is legitimate political protest? Especially when that cathedral is one that is loaded with memories because it was destroyed by the Communists in their relentless purge of Christians? Why not sing the same song outside, where it would still target Putin but not the worshippers inside?nn

I was wondering about this myself, the jail term and the resulting publicity will go a long way towards giving the band world wide fame and record deals in the west.

The whole purpose of their protest was to draw attention to the lack of democracy in russia, not to seek a “happy ending” by knuckling under the powers that be. Not that i’d have blamed them if they had accepted a plea, but their integrity is commendable.

They’re integrity is indeed commendable ( putting aside the self-publicity angle ), but their execution of their protest was pretty awful as it let far too many people cast them as the villains. Giving them jail-time makes them martyrs, which was a stupid move by the court, but their new refusal to as for a pardon makes them look like they’re manipulating the justice system, forcing the court to make them martyrs. Equally bad optics. So again, I fully support the intention but the whole situation is turning into car crash telly.

There is no money for bands anymore so i doubt they are going to jail to get a record deal! Unless they take Louis Walsh up on his offer, which i doubt they will!