Four Pussy Riot interrupted the World Cup Final in a dramatic pitch invasion.
Yesterday, 15 July) during the second half of the World Cup Final between France and Croatia, four protesters ran on to the field of play dressed in police uniforms.
Within minutes, Russian protest and art collective Pussy Riot claimed responsibility for the pitch invasion. The group took to their Facebook and Twitter page to post a list of demands, among them, that political prisoners be set free. The post is called “Policeman enters the Game”.
Pussy Riot are of course known for their high profile protests. They first came to international attention in 2012, when five members of the group staged a performance inside Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.
Update (4.40pm): The group have issued a series of social media posts detailing the aftermath of the invasion via Facebook. They confirmed that four Pussy Riot members spent the night at the police station with no access to sleeping or washing facilities. Shortly after, a video surfaced of two of the members being interrogated by Russian police. According to this tweet by Max Seddon, one of the police officers can be heard saying, “It’s a shame it’s not 1937 anymore”.
They were also initially denied access to their lawyer, Nikolay Vasilyev.
When Nikolay Vasilyev was finally granted access, he reported that all four members had been transferred to the Khamovnichesky District Court in Moscow where the first of the members’ cases were due to be heard. If found guilty, they will be charged with committing an administrative offence.
Update (5.50pm): The court has sentenced the first Pussy Riot member, Veronica Nikulshina, to 15 days of administrative arrest and banned her from sporting events.
Update (11.00pm): Olga Kurachova is sentenced to to 15 days administrative arrest, as is Pyotr Verzilov and Olga Pakhtusova, who are also banned from attending sports events for three years.
You can read the updates below.
