16 August 2012

RUSSIA : Pussy Riot Judge Syrova Given Armed Protection Ahead Of Verdict; Top Local Musicians Offer Little Support.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120816-pussy-riot-judge-gets-russian-state-protection

    Defense attorneys for the punkers Pussy Riot describe the judge who oversaw their trial for hooliganism and religious offenses...as a tough and often curt overseer.
   Now...the state has assigned protection for the 2008 Putin appointee...Judge Marina Syrova...after she reported receiving threats.
     Little is known about Syrova...except that she reportedly sides with the prosecution about 90% of the time....with just one acquittal in 178 verdicts!
     A verdict in the controversial and closely watched trial of the 3 young women...is expected tomorrow.

     AND: Many famous foreign musicians have expressed support for Pussy Riot.
      But...few top Russian bands have publicly expressed solidarity. Why? 
      Some claim jealousy; others...fear of Putin disapproval and loss of lucrative gigs; and, finally...that Pussy Riot wasn't really a band at all...but a feminist art collective.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/16/entertainment-us-russia-pussyriot-musici-idUSBRE87F0ZO20120816