Prosecutors seek prison for Pussy Riot

MOSCOW, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot should be sentenced to three years in prison for hooliganism inside Moscow's main cathedral, prosecutors said.

Maria Alekhina, Ekaterina Samutsevicha and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova are on trial for a "punk prayer" on Feb. 21 that criticized President Vladimir Putin, Russia's government-funded television network RT reported Tuesday.

A prosecutor told the court despite efforts to remove the three from the sacred areas of the cathedral, "The defendants waved their arms and legs and ran across the pulpit. They seriously violated public order."

The three women contend their "punk prayer" was a political statement and was not driven by religious hatred as the prosecution charged.

Proceedings at the Moscow trial of the three women have been accompanied by protests and calls for authorities to free Pussy Riot.

The case has sparked a media frenzy in Russia.

The women face up to seven years in prison if convicted of hooliganism.