Solidarity protests broke out in cities around the world after a Moscow court sentenced three members of all-girl punk band Pussy Riot to two years in jail on Aug. 17. The band members -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina, and Yekaterina Samutsevich -- have already been in jail for five months for protesting against Russian President Vladimir Putin in a church. Putin's critics claim the three are victims of a crackdown against dissent in Russia following the country's tumultuous presidential elections in March.
Above, the band's supporters wearing the group's signature colorful balaclavas lead a solidarity protest in Hamburg, Germany on Aug. 17.
The trial has attracted the attention of a cast of famous musicians -- including Madonna, Sting, Björk, and Paul McCartney -- who have all called for the band's release. Clueless actress Alicia Silverstone, cutting to the core of the issues, wrote to Putin to demand that band members be allowed access to vegan meals while in prison.
Above, a masked supporter protests near the Russian embassy in London on Aug. 17.
While protests elsewhere have been peaceful so far, Russian police rounded up several dozen protesters outside the courthouse in Moscow after the band's verdict was read, including retired chess champion Gary Kasparov.
Above, a protester in an orange mask participates in the pro-Pussy Riot demonstrations in London.
Demonstrators in Berlin, Germany, participate in a rally. The trial has attracted global attention over the issues of freedom of speech and artistic expression in modern Russia.
