Bodyguards Assigned to Judge Over Pussy Riot Trial

After receiving unspecified threats, the judge presiding over the Pussy Riot trial will now have bodyguards assigned to her.

The three women from Pussy Riot have been in jail after the band staged a protest against Russian leader Vladimir Putin inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The group posted their performance on YouTube, showing five women wearing bright balaclavas while also singing “Holy Mother, send Putin packing!”

The case has received international attention due to musicians such as Franz Ferdinand and Madonna who have denounced the trial as an unwarranted assault on freedom of speech and expression.

However, according to The New York Times, Russians are divided over the trial. While a mere 5 per cent of respondents polled last month said that the women should be let off without punishment, only 15 per cent supported a jail term of more than two years. Most called for a lighter punishment such as community service.

Under Russian law, the charges against the women-hooliganism motivated by religious hatred-carry a maximum penalty of seven years in jail.