Madonna defends Pussy Riot three

Madonna has spoken out in defence of three Russian punk rockers being tried for hooliganism, after a performance of an anti-Putin song.

Speaking ahead of her Moscow concert, the queen of pop said: “I’m against censorship and my whole career I’ve always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech. So obviously I think what’s happening to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair and I hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. That would be a tragedy.”

Madonna is just the latest in a string of musicians from Sting to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to voice concern the trial of the three-girl band is really about censoring criticism of President Vladimir Putin.

The defendants’ lawyer says simply: “There is no justice. There is only quick obedience to an order handed down from the authorities.”

Last week the president himself said the Pussy Riot girls – whose fate is likely to be decided within days – should not be treated too harshly. But his critics claim he was simply trying to appease an international audience.

The band members were arrested after a performance in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral, which called on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin.

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