An independent group of experts, the Independent Judicial Expertise Council, has reviewed the case of Pussy Riot, together with the lyrics of the punk anthems they performed in the Orthodox Church, and come to the conclusion that their ongoing incarceration (extended this week for another 30 days despite requests for bail and calls for clemency based on the fact that some of the group’s members have young children) is illegal.  Unfortunately, the report has been released by the President’s very own Human Rights Council, which implies that its conclusions will function as a kind of lip service to democratic and legal process, rather than doing anything to change the situation.

The report says that the accusations of religious hatred and enmity are over the top and inaccurate: