Madonna Speak Out Againt Russia's Jailing of Punk Band for Song of Prayer to Virgin Mary

RUETERS

RUETERS---Pop singer Madonna urged Russia on Monday not to jail three women from the punk band Pussy Riot for staging a protest in a church. In Moscow to give a concert and open a branch of her own fitness club, the American singer, songwriter, entrepreneur and actor added her voice to other international singers such as Sting and Red Hot Chili Peppers who have appealed for leniency. Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, face up to seven years in jail for storming the altar of Moscow's main cathedral on Feb. 21 and belting out a "punk prayer" calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Vladimir Putin, the prime minister who has since returned to the presidency. [link]