The Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament today called for an urgent debate on political interference in the legal system in Russia, following yesterday's scandalous verdict against the members of the Pussy Riot rock band.

 

 

"We cannot tolerate or accept the verdict in the Pussy Riot case. Putin and the Orthodox Church interfered in the trial and this clearly demonstrates the lack of an independent judiciary.

"We must protest against this scandalous verdict which shows how much the judiciary in Russia is influenced by politics. All the EU institutions and countries must take a clear stand and condemn this kind of farcical justice and the Russian authorities' intimidation and attacks on freedom of expression and NGOs.
 

"The European Parliament cannot remain silent. We call on all the other political groups in the European Parliament to support our request for an urgent debate at the next parliamentary plenary session in Strasbourg (10-13 September 2012)."