“So That Everyone Knows What Is Prohibited”
A Plea Concerning the Verdict against Pussy Riot
DocumentationDeutsche Fassung
Abstract
The performance by the women of Pussy Riot in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral violated article 5.26 of Russia’s law on misdemeanours: “violation of religious feelings of other citizens”. Misdemeanours can be punished, however, by a maximum fine of 10 days minimum wages or 15 days imprisonment. The court before which Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Ekaterina Samutsevich, and Maria Alekhina appeared therefore had the task of interpreting a misdemeanour as a felony. The opinion vio-lated numerous principles of criminal procedure. The court left the zone of legality in a hurry.
(Osteuropa 6-8/2012, pp. 225–228)