Post by : Saif Nasser
A Moscow court has officially declared the Russian feminist punk group Pussy Riot an extremist organisation, a move that bans all of its activities inside Russia. The decision was made at the request of the country’s General Prosecutor’s Office and announced by the city’s court service on Monday.
The ruling marks another major step by Russian authorities to silence voices that openly criticise the Kremlin. Pussy Riot is known worldwide for its bold protest actions, artistic performances, and strong opposition to President Vladimir Putin and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The court decision follows a ruling earlier this year in which five members of the group were sentenced in absentia to prison terms of up to 13 years. They were found guilty of spreading what authorities called false information about the Russian army. The members rejected the charges, saying they were politically motivated and aimed at punishing dissent.
Russian authorities have also labelled Pussy Riot members as “foreign agents,” a term often used to discredit critics by suggesting they act on behalf of outside powers. Most members of the group currently live outside Russia.
Pussy Riot first gained global attention in 2012 after several members were jailed for staging a protest performance inside Moscow’s main Russian Orthodox cathedral. The action, which criticised President Putin and the close ties between the state and the church, sparked international debate about free speech in Russia.
Since then, the group has continued its activism through music, public demonstrations, and art. Over the years, Pussy Riot has become a powerful symbol of protest against government control, repression, and limits on freedom of expression in Russia.
Nadya Tolokonnikova, one of the group’s founders, currently lives in the United States and is wanted by Russian authorities. She responded calmly to the extremist designation, saying it only proves the group’s message. In a social media post, she wrote that if speaking the truth is considered extremism, then the group accepts the label.
The extremist ruling means that anyone linked to Pussy Riot inside Russia could face criminal charges. It also adds to growing concerns from human rights groups, who say Russia is using courts and laws to silence artists, journalists, and activists.
As Russia continues to tighten control over public speech, the case of Pussy Riot highlights the shrinking space for protest and free expression. While the group can no longer operate openly in Russia, its message and influence continue to reach audiences around the world.
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