Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has said it's "unproductive" for members of the Pussy Riot group to spend more time behind bars.
Three members of the feminist punk band were sentenced last month to two years in prison for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for performing a protest song against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Orthodox cathedral.
They had already spent more than five months in jail when they were convicted.
Medvedev, in comments quoted by Interfax, said he would not want to "take the judge's place," but that in his view it would be sufficient for the women to serve suspended sentences.
Medvedev's comments came at a meeting with members of the ruling United Russia party.
The imprisonment of the three women has drawn protests around the world.
Three members of the feminist punk band were sentenced last month to two years in prison for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for performing a protest song against President Vladimir Putin in Moscow's Orthodox cathedral.
They had already spent more than five months in jail when they were convicted.
Medvedev, in comments quoted by Interfax, said he would not want to "take the judge's place," but that in his view it would be sufficient for the women to serve suspended sentences.
Medvedev's comments came at a meeting with members of the ruling United Russia party.
The imprisonment of the three women has drawn protests around the world.
