Even though people power is asserting itself around the world and authoritarian regimes are falling, one is standing firmer than ever: Russia. Vladimir Putin has returned to the presidency for the third time and is lowering the iron fist.
Tonight, I spoke with Petr Verzilov, who’s an artist, activist and the husband of one of the jailed band members of a Russian feminist punk rock band called Pussy Riot. In February, the group did a protest, storming the altar at Moscow's Cathedral of Christ the Savior and called upon the Virgin Mary to "put Putin away." Of course, many found this performance offensive; but is it criminal? The women are charged with "hooliganism, motivated by religious hatred or hostility.” In Russia, that’s a felony, with a maximum seven year jail sentence. The group has pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, but they've already been in prison for five months. Two of them have small children, whom they haven't seen since their arrest.
MORE: 3 members of Russian band Pussy Riot plead not guilty to hooliganism