Russian president defends Pussy Riot sentences

PRESIDENT Vladimir Putin has rejected criticism of the imprisonment of the Pussy Riot punk protest band, saying its three female members threatened the moral foundations of Russia.

He made the comments during a two-hour dinner address at his Stalin-era residence outside Moscow.

Mr Putin’s remarks come after two women from the band received two-year prison sentences at a hard labour camp for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” after performing an anti-Putin protest song in Moscow’s main cathedral. A third band member was released on a suspended sentence.

He said: “We have red lines beyond which starts the destruction of the moral foundations of our society. If people cross this line they should be made responsible in line with the law.”

He described Pussy Riot’s protest as “an act of group sex aimed at hurting religious feelings”.

The arrest and punishement of the women for their protest sparked worldwide condemnation.

Mr Putin also asked why Westerners who criticised Russia for sending two of the youngwomen to labour camps far from Moscow had not comeout in support of a jailed American who made an anti-Muslim hate film.

“Do you want to support people with such views? If you do, then why do you not support the guy who is sitting in prison for the film about the Muslims?” the president said.

This was an apparent reference to The Innocence of Muslims, the video that triggered violent protests across the Islamic world after it aired on the internet.