(Timothy Heritage’s and Maria Tsvetkova’s article appeared on Reuters, August 17; via the Drudge Report.)
A judge sentenced three members of Russian feminist punk band Pussy Riot to two years jail on Friday for staging a protest against President Vladimir Putin in a church, an act the judge called "blasphemous".
Supporters of the women say their case has put Putin's tolerance of dissent on trial. Several opposition figures were detained outside the courtroom while protesting in support of the women.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/08/17/us-russia-pussyriot-idUSBRE87F1E520120817