Madonna wears her support for Russian punk band

(CBS/AP) Madonna continues to express her support for the jailed members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot this week.

During her Tuesday concert in Moscow, she donned a black ski mask and scrawling the group's name on her back. She then turned her bare back, which had "Pussy Riot" written on it, to the audience and put on the mask. Pussy Riot band members make it a point to wear the masks, or balaclavas, which have become a symbol for the group.

In March, two weeks before Vladimir Putin won Russia's presidency for the third time, members of the female band high-kicked and danced in Moscow's main cathedral, singing "Virgin Mary, drive Putin away!"

On Tuesday, Madonna said she'd "pray for them" before launching into the song "Human Nature."

According to The New York Times, Madonna told the crowd, "So I just want to say a few words about Pussy Riot. "I know there are many sides to every story, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government. But I think that these three girls - Masha, Katya, Nadya - I think that they have done something courageous. I think they have paid the price for this act. And I pray for their freedom."

The band members were charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. The three now face up to seven years in jail in a case that has outraged human rights groups.

Madonna told The Associated Press earlier during her stay in Moscow that she "hopes that the judge is lenient" with the band members.