Moscow’s Khamovniki Court on Wednesday imposed restrictions on reports from the courtroom where the trial of all-female punk band Pussy Riot is taking place, court press secretary Daria Lyakh said on Wednesday.
“From now on it is prohibited to disclose in online reports the details of the case which witnesses mention in their testimonies,” Lyakh said.
Under Russian procedural law, witnesses cannot be present in the courtroom before questioning, so that the testimony they bear is unbiased.
After all of the witnesses in this trial bear testimony, journalist will be allowed to publish all of what has been said in reported speech, the head of Moscow City Court Press Service Marina Usachova said. “The testimonies are not classified; they could be published in verbatim retelling.”
Three Pussy Riot members – Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, – are on trial in Moscow over a “punk prayer” allegedly slamming then-Prime Minister and United Russia head Vladimir Putin that they performed in Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral earlier this year. They face up to seven years on hooliganism charges.
During the hearings on Wednesday, all of the three women felt sick, their lawyer Nikolay Plozov said, adding that an ambulance has been called.
“According to the court’s chairman they felt sick. I do not know any other details yet,” Polozov said.
Earlier, Pussy Riot members have complained over health problems and late-night hearings.
On Wednesday, Moscow City Court dismissed appeals filed by Pussy Riot members over a court decision to restrict the time they have to study the case materials.
Members of Pussy Riot have called their “punk prayer” performed at a Christian church an “ethical mistake,” but pleaded not guilty to charges of hooliganism which could see them imprisoned for seven years.
Amnesty International has recognized the three group members held in custody as prisoners of conscience. A number of prominent Western musicians, including Sting, Franz Ferdinand and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, have spoken in their support.