A Russian judge decides the fate of three female activists at the centre of a media storm.

On Friday, these members of punk activist group Pussy Riot were found guilty of "hooliganism" driven by religious hatred.

In February, the three women stormed the altar of Moscow's Christ the Saviour Cathedral wearing mini skirts and ski masks, and put on an anti-Kremlin punk rock performance.

The judge said they had committed a severe breach of public order expressing a deep disrespect to society.

Earlier, their lawyer asked that the women be acquitted because they were raising awareness of the close ties between President Vladimir Putin and the Orthodox Church.

The verdict was condemned by Pussy Riot supporters in Berlin, who staged a demonstration in front of Russia's embassy in the German capital.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN OPPOSITION GREEN PARTY CO-LEADER, RENATE KUENAST, SAYING:

"It is remarkable that Russia's Orthodox church is less perturbed than Putin and the state. I want to be clear: we not only demand the release of the women but we also know that in the end of these events, this is in support of the opposition in Russia and the middle class."

Supporters of Pussy Riot say the trial's put pressure on Putin's government to prove it is able to tolerate dissent.