Walesa to protest to Putin over Pussy Riot

photo: Lech Walesa Institute

Walesa revealed his intentions in an interview with Polish Radio on Thursday.

However, the former Solidarity leader acknowledged that he is not counting on receiving a reply from the Russian leader.

Three members of the group were sentenced to two years in a penal colony on 17 August for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.

The all-female punk band held an illegal protest performance at Moscow's Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on 21 February, calling on the Mother of God to “chase Putin away.”

On Wednesday evening, Walesa nevertheless said that it was “in bad taste” to carry out such a performance in a religious sanctuary.

“They were in the right, only that this was not the place to do it,” he told television news channel TVN24.

The three women have been in custody since March, having been denied bail. The group's lawyer lodged an appeal following last month's verdict. (nh)