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Madonna Condemns Pussy Riot Conviction, Urges Other Artists To Speak Out

Madonna Condemns Pussy Riot Conviction
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U.S. singer Madonna greets her fans at the opening of the new fitness club in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. Madonna has voiced hope that three feminist Russian rockers on trial for performing a "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin are released soon. The pop star told the AP during her concert tour of Russia that she supports freedom of speech and hopes the judge will show leniency. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)

Pop superstar Madonna has again added her voice to the chorus of international outrage over the conviction of Russian punk band Pussy Riot on charges of hooliganism. Three members of the feminist music group were sentenced to two years in prison Friday for performing an anti-Putin "punk prayer" in a Russian cathedral.

Madonna issued a statement Saturday condemning Pussy Riot's conviction and urging other artists to speak out in support of the band. Her full statement follows below:

"I protest the conviction and sentencing of Pussy Riot to a penal colony for two years for a 40 second performance extolling their political opinions. Even if one disagrees with the location or how they chose to express themselves, the sentence is too harsh and in fact is inhumane. I call on all those who love freedom to condemn this unjust punishment. I urge artists around the world to speak up in protest against this travesty. They've spent enough time in jail. I call on ALL of Russia to let Pussy Riot go free."

Last week at a concert in Moscow, Madonna showed support for Pussy Riot by taking off her shirt as she was singing "Express Yourself" to reveal the band's name written on her back. She has repeatedly voiced support and called for leniency for the band on her MDNA world tour.

Pussy Riot On Trial
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From left, Yekaterina Samutsevich, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, members of feminist punk group Pussy Riot sit behind bars at a court room in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)
(02 of06)
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Yekaterina Samutsevich, right, a member of feminist punk group Pussy Riot is excorted to a court room in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)
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Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, right, and Maria Alekhina, background center, members of feminist punk group Pussy Riot are excorted to a court room in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)
(04 of06)
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From left, Yekaterina Samutsevich, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alekhina, members of feminist punk group Pussy Riot sit behind bars at a court room in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)
(05 of06)
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Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, center, a member of feminist punk group Pussy Riot is escorted to a court room in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)
(06 of06)
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In this Feb. 21, 2012 file photo, members of the Russian radical feminist group Pussy Riot try to perform at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:AP)

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