The protest outside the courthouse where the Russian punk group Pussy Riot was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison last week has died down, but the fury over the judge’s ruling remains impassioned online.
Unknown hackers broke into the official website of the Khamovnichesky District Court, slapping up a recording of new song by Pussy Riot called “Putin is Lighting the Fires of the Revolution,” as well as a risque video called “Hate” by flamboyantly gay Bulgarian singer Azis.
The names of tabs linking to other sections of the site were also replaced with comments like “Free Pussy Riot,” and “Only an Open Trial Can Be Fair,” along with other snide and profanity-laced remarks.
The American chapter of the loosely-knit hacker collective Anonymous later laid claim to the attack, telling the BBC’s Russian service in a statement that “We do not forget or forgive. … Tyranny cannot judge.”
The band has become a cause celebre around the world after its members were arrested following a February protest in which they tried to perform an anti-Putin song inside Moscow’s main cathedral. A video of the stunt became a viral hit online, but deeply offended many Orthodox believers. Three members of the group were held without bail for about six months before an eight-day long trial which ended last Friday to much international condemnation.
The court’s site remained defaced for several hours before being returned to its regular form. Court officials said they have asked Russia’s Investigative Committee, the country’s main investigating authority, to open a probe.
- Reblogged from the Wall Street Journal
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