Pussy Riot Members Might Finally Go Free
The two remaining incarcerated members of feminist punk rock group Pussy Riot may soon go free if a proposed amnesty bill passes Russia's Parliament. The bill, which was submitted by Putin himself, would grant amnesty to a wide range of non-violent offenders like Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina.
The bill, which was posted on the Kremlin website Monday, applies to a wide range of inmates who haven't committed violent crimes, including women who have children. Tolokonnikova and Alekhina both have children.
Their lawyer, Irina Khrunova, told ITAR-Tass they "theoretically" fall under the amnesty, but she added that it would only be clear after it is passed by the lower house of parliament. She said the third Pussy Riot group member, Yekaterina Samutsevich, whose sentence was suspended, could also be pardoned under the amnesty.
The story goes on to say that they expect the bill to pass quickly once voting begins, but no date has been set for the MPs to vote.
The members of Pussy Riot who remain in prison have been incarcerated since March of 2012 on charges of hooliganism. During that time, worldwide support for the band has grown leading to protests, books and an HBO documentary.