2 members of Russian punk band flee country

Members of the Russian radical feminist group Pussy Riot, which stage performances against the policies of Vladimir Putin, are seen during a rehearsal in Moscow in February 2012. / AP Photo/Sergey Ponomarev

(AP) MOSCOW - Two members of the punk band Pussy Riot have fled Russia to avoid prosecution for a protest against Vladimir Putin that sent three of their band mates to prison, the group said Sunday.

Five members of the feminist group took part in a provocative performance inside Moscow's main cathedral in February to protest the Russian leader's rule and his cozy relationship with the Orthodox Church. The women wore their trademark garishly colored balaclavas, which made it difficult for police to identify them, and only three were arrested.

After a controversial trial that highlighted Putin's crackdown on dissent since he began a third presidential term in May, the three band members were convicted of hooliganism and sentenced to two years in prison on Aug. 17. Days later, Moscow police said they were searching for the other band members, an apparent warning to the group to stop its anti-Putin protests.

Even as the judge was reading the verdict in a Moscow courtroom, one of the band members who had escaped arrest played Pussy Riot's latest song, "Putin sets the fires of revolutions," from the balcony of an apartment building across the street.

Pussy Riot tweeted on Sunday that the two activists had fled Russia and are "recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new protest actions." No mention was made of where they went.

At least 12 other members of the group remain in Russia, another message on Twitter said.

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24 Photos

Russian female punk band on trial

[andrewjsacks]

We support all non-violent protests and demonstrations against tyranny; we support the group. "We" is I and my family and all straight-thinking people.

[bobnjersey]

[The women wore their trademark garishly colored balaclavas, which made it difficult for police to identify them, and only three were arrested.]
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so ... no matter how many of these 'band members' are arrested ... they could just recruit a handful of others who are willing to wear the 'balaclavas' ... and they got a reformed band ... right?

[micmac666]

'Looks like it...much like the "V for Vendetta" anonymity.

[BWB2020]

@ quincytodd
"The name this band chose is both filthy and uncalled for, BWB2020."

Just because you didn't call for it, doesn't mean that it shouldn't exist, such terms as "uncalled for" imply that you are the sole arbiter of what should be "called for".

I find many things far more "filthy" than their name. The name is a good choice for the concept of women rebelling hard core against unjust authority. If more women stood against corruption, and denied "access" to those who misuse their position, there would be a lot less of it.

"...If you love that name, then you must be a dimwitted Tea Partier..."

No, I am in fact, the tea party's worst nightmare, an educated and world-traveled "black" man.

"...You Tea Partiers seem to like everything that's halfway dirty..."

Notwithstanding your totally erroneous assumption re my political affiliation, I would say that if you consider a combination of English language letters to be "dirty", or the part of the female anatomy to which it refers to be "dirty', then it is you who has the problem, not I. I personally don't hang out with women who have dirty anatomical components. If you do, that is again your problem, not mine.

"...Besides, Russia is more democratic than we are these days since it isn't controlled by some military-industrial-complex like we are!.."

You know this from what source? Russia is just as corrupt as the US, and before it became a mafia haven, it was indeed little more than a military-industrial complex. Now it is a military/industrial/mafia complex, and I appreciate these women taking off the make-up, quitting the pretense, choosing a very funny name with multiple deep implications (which apparently escape you) and calling the corrupt situation for what it is. I wish more women worldwide would join such protests, because the protests of men are most often dismissed.

GO For It P.R.!!!

[tmittelstaed]

It is a fact that the majority of the Internet viruses, credit card and identity thefts, and phishing attacks on the Internet today originate from the Russian Mafia.

[frankwyou]

Dear BWB2020,

I am not a Tea Party 'memeber' as I don't exactly know how to become one. But I am supportive of much of what I know the organizations stand for. Along those lines, you are not a 'worst enemy'. Whether you wish to be descibed as such or not, I consider you an assett to this nation. All the Tea Party wishes to accomplish is what our founding fathers (with their faults acknowledged) wanted; less government intrusion. As time goes by, my friends & relatives who are very much to the 'left' and I find more commonality each day. Disgust with how the goverment operates.

All they and I want is fairness for everybody. But not taking away from the 'hard working' and giving to 'less hardworking'.

If anyone has a legitimate need, I wish for them to have the need met.

There is a prejudgement of the "Tea Party" that is just not reasonable(in my opinion). I think if we talked I'd learn much from you and in the end disagree on very little

[micmac666]

FREE ***** RIOT.

[BWB2020]

Not a fan of the music style, but I wholeheartedly support their activism, more artists worldwide, including the USA, should stand up to power.

Also, I love the name, it works on many levels

[kroguej]

Well, it worse than that they are bad even for punk.

[quincytodd]

The name this band chose is both filthy and uncalled for, BWB2020. If you love that name, then you must be a dimwitted Tea Partier. You Tea Partiers seem to like everything that's halfway dirty. Besides, Russia is more democratic than we are these days since it isn't controlled by some military-industrial-complex like we are!