Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has spoken out against the imprisonment of punk band Pussy Riot, calling for the female trio to be set free, report the Associated Press.
With their case coming up for appeal on October 1, support from the Russian PM suggests the band’s release may be fast approaching.
“In my view, a suspended sentence would be sufficient, taking into account the time they have already spent in custody,” stated Medvedev in Penza during a televised meeting with members of the United Russia party.
The band members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in August after performing an anti-Putin ‘punk prayer’ in March.