Russia passes amnesty bill, Pussy Riot expected to be freed
Reuters
2013-12-18
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A newly passed amnesty bill could free the two remaining jailed members of Pussy Riot.
This comes after Russia's lower house of parliament passed a bill that would free many elderly and youth inmates and women with young children.
President Vladimir Putin introduced the bill last week to mark the 20th anniversary of Russia's post-Soviet constitution.
Lawyers for Pussy Riot say the amnesty would free Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.
They were sentenced to two years in prison on hooliganism charges for an anti-Putin protest at a Russian orthodox cathedral.
Tolokonnikova's husband, Peter Verzilov, says the bill makes little difference.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PUSSY RIOT MEMBER NADEZHDA TOLOKONNIKOVA'S HUSBAND, PETER VERZILOV, SAYING:
"It is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they have served their term. On the other hand, it is a chance to show off some government concessions at the end of the term. They can show to the West that amne
This comes after Russia's lower house of parliament passed a bill that would free many elderly and youth inmates and women with young children.
President Vladimir Putin introduced the bill last week to mark the 20th anniversary of Russia's post-Soviet constitution.
Lawyers for Pussy Riot say the amnesty would free Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina.
They were sentenced to two years in prison on hooliganism charges for an anti-Putin protest at a Russian orthodox cathedral.
Tolokonnikova's husband, Peter Verzilov, says the bill makes little difference.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PUSSY RIOT MEMBER NADEZHDA TOLOKONNIKOVA'S HUSBAND, PETER VERZILOV, SAYING:
"It is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they have served their term. On the other hand, it is a chance to show off some government concessions at the end of the term. They can show to the West that amne
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