Pussy Riot

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Whilst the prosecution had asked for a three-year custodial sentence, the actual custodial sentence handed down to the three female accused, after being found guilty of hooliganism, was a total of two years.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Rock legend Mark Knopler has said of the matter: 'Whenever a political regime or religious establishment refuses to tolerate criticism, it advertises itself as repressive, backward and insecure. This verdict will diminish Russia in the eyes of the world. I condemn the prison sentences given to these young people and support the right to protest for everyone.'

I generally agree with him.

 

[Oswyntail]

I doubt anything will change because of this, but it could become Russia's "Who would break a butterfly on a wheel?" moment

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder what have been the outcome if the Taleban caught three young women acting in a similar fashion in a mosque.

 

[jon0844]

I'd assume far worse, but we don't want to associate Russia as being slightly better than the Taliban!

 

[martinsh]

I'd assume far worse, but we don't want to associate Russia as being slightly better than the Taliban!

Don't we ?

 

[WestCoast]

It doesn't exactly project Russia as being a bastion of free speech on the world stage. Having said that, the manner of protest understandably offended some sections of Russian society. However, it seems quite obvious that the level of punishment was politically influenced and that seems to be the issue here.

Just as an observation, doesn't Russia seem to have lot of women in their police force compared to Europe or North America? Everytime I see footage of police (either in action or being interviewed), most of them are women...

I wonder what have been the outcome if the Taleban caught three young women acting in a similar fashion in a mosque.

Far, far worse. Or for that matter, what would be the reaction if the act had been committed in any mosque in the Western world?

Ask Denmark about the consequences of the Prophet Mohammed cartoons. It's still an issue for the Government and local media seven years later...

Hence why I think it's unsurprising for religious/conservative people in Russia to be offended at the location and manner of protest. As I've said above though, if it wasn't a political protest, then I very much doubt this would have attracted so much attention or have resulted in such a prison sentence.

 

[12CSVT]

To put things in perspective, the actual protest lasted less than a minute.

So now there is no doubt about the Russian government's attitude to political dissent.

 

[SS4]

Russia's name is already in the mud in here and the US because they refuse to meddle in Syria's internal affairs so take what's been reported with a pinch of salt.

Rock legend Mark Knopler has said of the matter: 'Whenever a political regime or religious establishment refuses to tolerate criticism, it advertises itself as repressive, backward and insecure. This verdict will diminish Russia in the eyes of the world. I condemn the prison sentences given to these young people and support the right to protest for everyone.'

I generally agree with him.

I wonder what have been the outcome if the Taleban caught three young women acting in a similar fashion in a mosque.

I'd assume far worse, but we don't want to associate Russia as being slightly better than the Taliban!

Don't we ?

What they said (although I'd hesitate to call Knopfler legendary).

 

[ainsworth74]

Russia's name is already in the mud in here and the US because they refuse to meddle in Syria's internal affairs so take what's been reported with a pinch of salt.

I'd suggest there's a bit more to the poor relations than just the ongoing situation in Syria, a certain assassination a few years ago for example...

 

[SS4]

I'd suggest there's a bit more to the poor relations than just the ongoing situation in Syria, a certain assassination a few years ago for example...

Of course, I never meant to imply there wasn't. I was thinking more of the popular press who need something that's happening now.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Mind you, England once had a time when cathedrals were desecrated in far more general terms, as in the English Civil War, the Parliamentary forces were known for stabling their horses in cathedrals and the Roundheads were not averse to causing much damage to the building structure and the contents. Let us be mindful of the pot calling the kettle black.

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I'd suggest there's a bit more to the poor relations than just the ongoing situation in Syria, a certain assassination a few years ago for example...

The fact that the Ba'ath ruling party in Syria had a sister Ba'ath ruling party in Iraq prior to the demise of Saddam Hussein, with a similar method of governance, tends to be overlooked these days.
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It doesn't exactly project Russia as being a bastion of free speech on the world stage. Having said that, the manner of protest understandably offended some sections of Russian society....Hence why I think it's unsurprising for religious/conservative people in Russia to be offended at the location and manner of protest.

People need to understand that the Russian Orthodox Church has devotees of all ages with a far deeper sensibility of their holy places and a corresponding respect for them. Having seen the antics of these women on TV and their total disrespect for their surroundings, "offended" would be too inappropriate a word to use, but I am sure there are far more deeper meaning words to use that convey the disgust felt by practising members of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The Christian Church in Britain has become so concerned with becoming more and more dissolutionary of its core values that have taken two millennium to develop that they see any other religions who do not follow the path they have set as wrong in their adherence to their own core beliefs.

What annoys me is the British media insistence that these women were only singing. I would draw attention to the "dancing" that occurred at the same time, as it was the style of "dancing" on the most sacred part of the altar area in the church, not the song, that has caused the outcry in Russia. I have been contacted by members of the Russian Orthodox Church who have stressed this particular point to me.

 

[Oswyntail]

Paul, as ever, makes sound points. We cannot measure the offence caused by what we would feel in the UK. In this respect I would even feel sympathy towards Islamic reactions if this had taken place in a mosque.
However, the choice of venue and style of protest does bring to mind "They're not political protesters, they're just very naughty girls", and a more appropriate punishment could have been found (such as three years unpaid helping in the work the church does). What the authorities have achieved is to set these naughty girls up as a rallying point, and who knows where that might end.

 

[scotsman]

The UK equivalent, UK Uncut, would have been lifted and done for breach of the peace - if that - and given a fine/community sentence of some sort. What Russia has done is a clear statement to the dissenting public: We are in charge, question our authority and pay the price.

Interestingly, the protesters outside the court faced huge fines for their "unauthorised" protest.