Sochi police releases Pussy Riot members after detention over an alleged theft

Nadezha Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and three others were released today by the police after being detained in jail over an alleged theft at a local hotel, said a USA Today Sports report. Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina are known members who make up Pussy Riot, the punk rock band who performs guerilla-style in several public locations across Russia, with themes ranging from feminism to opposition to current Russian President Vladimir Putin's policies, according to an interview report by investigative journalism blog Vice.

After being released in jail, the group reportedly walked out of the police station wearing neon balaclavas in pink, blue, green and yellow while chanting a song about the Russian president. USA Today Sports said as the group were approached by journalists who had camped out of the police station, they immediately dispersed on foot, which turned into a chaotic scene as press followed the group while cars honked due to the unusual traffic.

When interviewed by the press, one of the members who wore a pink balaclava said, "It is clear that in Russia activists are treated like terrorists. Inside we were beaten because we didn't want to say anything without our lawyer. In Russia there's no law. We were stopped in our hotel, told that somebody had stolen some money, but they detained us for being activists. We did not protest, but they said we planned to."

Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina were initially arrested and subsequently sent to jail on Tuesday afternoon while taking a stroll, USA Today Sports said. 20 miles from the Russian town is the venue of the ongoing Winter Olympics, of which Russia currently plays as its host.

Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina's attorney, Alexander Popkov claimed to the US news outlet that police had beaten up his clients prior to his arrival at the police station.

Tolokonnikova later tweeted in Russian, of which when translated, read, "Lawyer came, the police became more affectionate."

Tags

Pussy Riot, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sochi Winter Olympics

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