Pussy Riot Says Two Members Flee Russia

Pussy Riot members protested in a Moscow cathedral in February.

The Russian feminist punk performance-art group Pussy Riot says two of its activists who were being sought by police have left the country.

Pussy Riot tweeted on August 26 that the two activists have fled Russia and are "recruiting foreign feminists to prepare new protest actions."

A few hours later, a new entry appeared on Twitter, saying that "the two women left the country due to dangers, but at least 12 Pussy Riot members still remain in Russia."

Three members of Pussy Riot each received two-year jail sentences on August 17 on charges of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" after they staged a protest against links between President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Orthodox Church at a Moscow cathedral in February.

Police said earlier this week that they were searching for two other members of the group who were present at the performance in the cathedral. The two have not been named.


Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and Interfax