Madonna urges Russia not to jail feminist band for chanting anti-Putin 'punk prayer'

Moscow, Aug 7 (ANI): Madonna has urged Russia not to jail three feminist pop stars charged for chanting a ' punk prayer' against President Vladimir Putin outside a church.

Five members of the band named Pussy Riot, wearing brightly colored balaclavas and miniskirts, had briefly taken over the pulpit at Christ The Savior Cathedral, chanting ' Mother Mary , drive Putin away'.

Their performance in February came two weeks before the election that returned Putin to the presidency.

Three of the band members, two of whom have young children, were thrown into jail and face charges of hooliganism that could bring them seven years if convicted.

According to the Telegraph, Madonna weighed into their trial, which the opposition says is part of a wider crackdown on dissent by Putin after the biggest protests since he rose to power in 2000.

"I am against censorship and throughout my whole career I've always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech. So obviously, I think that what happened to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair," the paper quoted Madonna, as saying.

"I hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. That would be a tragedy," she said.

"I think art should be political. Historically speaking, art always reflects what's going on socially. So for me, it's hard to separate the idea of being an artist and being political," she added. (ANI)