Moviment Graffitti calls for release of Pussy Riot

A lone protestor wearing a plastic bag over his head shouted pro-democracy slogans outside the Russian Embassy in Kappara, San Gwann this afternoon.

He was calling for the immediate release of Russian punk band Pussy Riot and for Russia to respect people's fundamental human rights.

As the left-wing group activist thumped against the embassy's gate he shouted "Free Pussy Riot" and "We won't do what you tell us!"

Another protestor who was wearing a balaclava over her head joined him, but the solitary police officer guarding the embassy demanded the two Moviment Graffitti members to reveal their faces. He later took note of the two protestors' particulars, saying he was only doing this just in case the police need to contact the protestors.

The police officer on duty outside the embassy said he was not aware of the protest and called his superiors to inform them of the protest.

Activists of the movement said there was need to apply for a police permit since less then 10 persons were present for the protest.

The symbolic protest was held following the imprisonment of three members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot.

Last week, a court in Moscow found three members of Pussy Riot, a feminist punk band, guilty of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for their role in performing a song in an Orthodox Church criticising President Vladimir Putin.
The verdict came amid criticism of a lack of freedom in Russia, with Pussy Riot supporters saying the case has put President Vladimir Putin's tolerance of dissent on trial. The sentence roused the Russian public's attention and large protests were held in Russia.

Large crowds of supporters gathered outside the court in Moscow, including prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny. However critics of the band were also protesting.

The Moviment Graffitti activists said the prosecution and imprisonment "is a direct violation of their fundamental human rights of freedom of expression protected under Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

They added that these rights "should preside over any other national legislation directed at coercing social control and public order."

Moviment Graffitti added that if a similar episode happened in Malta, the sentence handed down would very likely be on the same lines, since Russia and Malta hold large similarities in regards to the massive influence of the church on society.

The movement noted that both countries share a lack of secularism and a clear separation between state and church. The protestors pointed out that this leads to discrimination against women who are deemed as inferiors in patriarchal societies and minorities such as people with different sexual orientation, divorcees and people who left the church.

"Unfortunately, established churches tend to act as machines of money, power and hypocrisy, using taboo subjects such as sexuality to hold their dominance over people," the activists said.