Pussy Riot found guilty

[August 17, 2012]  MOSCOW (AP) -- A Russian judge has found three members of the provocative punk band Pussy Riot guilty of hooliganism, in one of the most closely watched cases in recent Russian history.

The judge on Friday said the three band members committed hooliganism driven by religious hatred and offending religious believers.

The three were arrested in March after a guerrilla performance in Moscow's main cathedral calling for the Virgin Mary to protect Russia against Vladimir Putin.

They face a maximum seven years in prison. The sentence is to be pronounced later Friday.

[Associated Press]

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