"A Moscow court has today ruled the feminist punk protest collective Pussy Riot to be an "extremist organisation". The decision could see any individual or organisation found to be showing support for the collective's actions or social media posts face the threat of prosecution. A number of Russian writers and artists have previously been officially labelled "foreign agents" by the country's government, which is the first step towards the extremism categorisation, and is enough to restrict the dissemination of their works."
""to erase the very existence of Pussy Riot from the consciousness of Russians"."
""A balaclava under your pillow, our song on your computer, or a like on our post-all of this can lead to a prison sentence," she continued."
""When we were on trial for our Punk Prayer, we told the judge and prosecutors that even though we were in a cage, we were still freer than them. A decade and a half later, that's still true...If refusing to keep your mouth shut is extremism, then so be it, we'll be extremists.""
A Moscow court designated the feminist punk collective Pussy Riot as an extremist organisation, exposing supporters to potential prosecution and effectively banning the group's activities. Prior government labelling of writers and artists as "foreign agents" is a step that restricts distribution and can lead toward extremism categorisation and criminalisation. The extremism ruling can criminalise mere mention or small acts of support. Founding member Nadya Tolokonnikova warned that simple symbols or online likes could lead to prison. The ruling was handed down in a closed hearing, takes effect immediately, and an appeal is planned. The group previously served prison time over the 2012 Punk Prayer that targeted Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill.
Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events
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