• News

• All

Aug 27, 2012 By Mike Hilleary Photography by Denis Sinyakov/Reuters Pussy Riot

With Russian police reportedly in search of them, two members of the anti-Kremlin punk collective Pussy Riot have successfully fled the country. According to The Guardian word of the secret exodus came when the band tweeted, “In regard to the pursuit, two of our members have successfully fled the country! They are recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new actions!”

Pussy Riot drew international attention approximately a week and a half ago when members Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were sentenced to two years in prison after protesting President Vladimir Putin with a performance at the altar of Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral earlier this year.

Shortly after the sentencing, authorities revealed that they were in search of the remaining members of that had taken part in the guerilla show. According to a report by Reuters, Pyotr Verzilov, Tolokonnikova’s husband, revealed that the recent escapees “will keep a low profile for now. They are in a safe place beyond the reach of the Russian police.” Questioned whether this meant the members were in a country without a Russian extradition agreement, Verzilov said, “Yes, that suggests that.”

Verzilov also said that while there is a sigh of relief for the two that have gotten away, Pussy Riot is made up 12-14 members, and it is unclear as to whether those still in the country are in danger of arrest as well. “It’s a big collective,” he said.

The convicted members are expected to appeal against their sentences next week.