Russia: <PERSON> Guilty Verdict · Global Voices
Russian and anglophone Twitter users responded to the guilty verdict and two-year prison sentence handed down to Pussy Riot members <PERSON>, <PERSON>, and <PERSON> on August 17, 2012.
The women were arrested last March after a February performance inside Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior, just before <PERSON> retook the Russian Presidency amid charges of election fraud.
Russia's Pussy Riot found guilty, Moscow, 17 August 2012 by <PERSON>, copyright © Demotix.
Setting the stage
It took the judge several hours to read out the guilty verdict fully, before announcing the two-year sentence. Prosecutors had requested as many as seven years in prison for the women, two of whom are mothers to small children.
Journalist and former New York Times Moscow Bureau Chief <PERSON> tweeted:
<PERSON>: Great, great photos by @hegtor of #pussyriot before this incredibly long reading began. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=450091
Specialist in Russian politics, <PERSON> tweeted:
‏@francescamereu: The theater of absurd:three beautiful young women handcuffed like criminals; judge reading swear words #freepussyriot
Radio Freedom (Радио Свобода) tweeted a link to an article highlighting the now global awareness about the trial [ru]:
‏ @SvobodaRadio: Полсотни городов мира – для Pussy Riot http://goo.gl/nVivO
‏ @SvobodaRadio [ru]: 50 cities of the world – for Pussy Riot http://t.co/WBJHlpWb
Verdict announced
Blogger and activist <PERSON> reported that music heard during the reading of the verdict originated somewhere outside on the street, but succeeded in reaching the inside the courtroom. Some Twitter users observed that the three defendants began smiling.
‏@navalny:В зале заиграла песня PR. С улицы, но очень громко.
‏@navalny [ru]: In the hall, a [Pussy Riot] was played. From outside, but very loudly.
A Twitter account representing the anglophone ‘Free Pussy Riot’ LiveJournal blog added to its regular courtroom updates a note about the music:
‏@Eng_Pussy_Riot: In the courtroom song of #PussyRiot is playing. 799
From the street, but very loud. #Freepussyriot
Mental health issues
The Guardian's Moscow correspondent, <PERSON>, provided live updates throughout the reading of the verdict:
<PERSON>: We're now talking about the women's psychological health. Have entered hour three.
<PERSON> responded to debate about the defendants’ sanity:
‏@parfenov_:Dear <PERSON> judge: “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” ~ <PERSON> @MiriamElder
Other twitter users detailed the judge's psychological assessment, highlighting choice absurdities:
‏@ioffeinmoscow: Psychological expertise determines <PERSON> has “partial personality disturbance,” bc “makes decisions based on personal experience.”
The sentence is read
‏@TelenL: Толоконниковой – 2 года, Самуцевич – 2 года, Алехина – 2 года. #Хамсуд.
‏@TelenL [ru]: <PERSON> – 2 years, <PERSON> – 2 years, <PERSON> – 2 years. #verdict
Some microbloggers recalled a statement President <PERSON> made at #London2012, where he expressed his hope that the women would not be “judged too harshly:”
‏@RusPoliceWatch: So <PERSON>'s “not too harshly” translates into two years in jail. #PussyRiot
Other Twitter users speculated about the trial's historical significance:
@ioffeinmoscow: The judge said one of the reasons for a “real sentence” was to “caution others.” And now you know. 799