On 17 August, three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot were found guilty of 'hooliganism driven by religious hatred' and sentenced to two years in a prison colony. Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich's crime was to perform an anti-Putin punk-prayer in Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral.
The trial and sentence have been widely condemned as evidence of growing authoritarianism in Russia. The ICA hosts a discussion next week with broadcaster and lawyer Mark Stephens, Index on Censorship CEO Kirsty Hughes and art historian Nadim Samman, debating aspects of the Pussy Riot case, other similar incidents and the implications for freedom of speech.
Separately, there's also a gig to raise funds for Free Pussy Riot, on 9 September at Hoxton Square Bar and Kitchen. Entry is free.
Holy Mary! A discussion about the Pussy Riot case starts at 7pm on Tuesday 4 September at the ICA, The Mall. Tickets £3 / free to ICA members. For more information see the ICA website.
