Russian Court Says Pussy Riot Video Is Extremist and Must Be Removed From Websites

In Russia yesterday, the Zamoskvoretsky District Court in Moscow court ruled that four Internet videos of the punk rock group Pussy Riot are "extremist" and must be removed from a list of websites to which they have been uploaded. The best known of the videos is a montage of the group performing a prayer in punk rock form in Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral. The lyrics ask the Virgin Mary to "chase Putin out." (See prior posting.) Judge Marina Musimovich said the videos include "words and actions which humiliate various social groups based on their religion."  Financial Times and BBC News report on the decision. RAPSI has a transcript of the live blogging from the trial (Part 1, Part 2). An appeal of the decision may be filed within one month, however since the court has refused to permit the one Pussy Riot member who is not in jail to intervene as a party to the proceedings in this case, apparently she may not file an appeal. The only parties were the prosecutor and Russia's justice ministry.