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Judge presiding at Pussy Riot trial offered state protection

"In connection with the incessant threats judge Marina Syrova has been guaranteed state protection," the spokeswoman said

Photo ITAR-TASS

Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, August 16 (Itar-Tass) — Marina Syrova, a judge of the Moscow Khamovnichesky district court who is presiding at the Pussy Riot trial, has been offered state protection following threats on her life, spokeswoman for the Moscow City Court Anna Usacheva told Itar-Tass.

"In connection with the incessant threats judge Marina Syrova has been guaranteed state protection," the spokeswoman said. Chairperson of the Moscow City Court Olga Yegorova had filed an appeal, asking for state protection to Marina Syrova, the spokeswoman said.

A conspicuous criminal case against the Pussy Riot is connected with the so-called "punk prayer service" the punk group staged at Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow on February 21. Standing trial are Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich who were accused of hooliganism. The prosecutor has demanded a three-year prison term to each of the defendants.

On February 21 five women wearing masks came to the cathedral, walked up to the amvon and began to sing, shouting insults to the clergy and believers.

The Pussy Riot punk group claimed responsibility for the incident. Earlier, the Pussy Riot had already staged provocative acts in Lobnoye mesto (known as the Place of Skulls) on Red Square and in Biological Museum.

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