Pussy Riot members granted early release from Russian jail

The two remaining imprisoned Pussy Riot members have been granted early release from their two year jail sentence in Russia.

The news comes after Russia’s parliament passed President Putin’s recent amnesty bill earlier this week, with Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina among those with their sentences cut short as a result.

Putin confirmed the pair’s release during a news conference on Thursday, according to Reuters, with Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina expected to leave their jail cells shortly.

The amnesty could also see around 1,300 people released from prison, 17,500 people relieved of non-custodial sentences and 6,000 criminal proceedings suspended. Recently jailed Greenpeace members, who were protesting oil drilling in the Arctic, may also be amongst those released.

Last year, three members of the punk band were found guilty of “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” and were sentenced to two years in jail following the performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour. The song requested that the Virgin Mary drive Russian president Vladimir Putin from power.

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, had been named prisoners of conscience by Amnesty International. Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, was released last October.