Tue Dec 16 03:26:10 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article rewrite:
Summary:
A Moscow court has designated the exiled Russian punk band Pussy Riot as an extremist organization, effectively banning their activities within Russia. The ruling, made in a closed session at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office, will make it easier for authorities to target the band’s supporters and associates. Pussy Riot responded defiantly, stating they are “proud extremists” for speaking the truth about Putin, whom they labeled an “aging sociopath.” The band sees this as an attempt to erase their existence from the minds of Russians, with potentially serious consequences for anyone even tangentially connected to their work. This follows a history of persecution against the group, including jail sentences for past protests and recent imprisonment of individuals linked to the band on charges of spreading “false information” about the Russian military.
News Article:
Pussy Riot Declared “Extremist” in Russia, Band Responds with Defiance
MOSCOW – A Moscow court has designated the Russian punk protest band Pussy Riot as an “extremist organisation,” according to state news agency TASS. The ruling, handed down on Monday in a closed session at the request of the Prosecutor General’s Office, effectively bans the band’s activities within the Russian Federation.
The exiled group, known for their provocative performances and outspoken criticism of President Vladimir Putin, responded with defiance. In a statement shared on social media, Pussy Riot members declared themselves “proud extremists,” criticizing Putin as an “aging sociopath spreading his venom around the world like cancer.”
The band’s lawyer, Leonid Solovyov, told TASS that they intend to appeal the ruling.
The designation will likely make it easier for Russian authorities to target individuals and organizations associated with Pussy Riot. The band warned that simply possessing their music, sharing their content online, or even owning a balaclava, a symbol often associated with the group, could now lead to prison time.
Pussy Riot has a long history of conflict with the Russian government. In 2012, members were jailed for staging a protest inside Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral, criticizing Putin. Several individuals connected with the band have been imprisoned in recent months for allegedly spreading “false information” about the Russian military’s actions in Ukraine.
“This court order is designed to erase the very existence of Pussy Riot from the minds of Russians,” the band stated.
The move comes as Russia continues its crackdown on dissent and independent media, further shrinking the space for free expression within the country.
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