In Tbilisi, about 30 persons demand to release "Pussy Riot" members tried in Moscow

In Tbilisi, in front of the building of Russian Interests Section at the Swiss Embassy in Georgia, an action of support and solidarity with the punk band "Pussy Riot" was held. About 30 young people with bright posters in their hands and with bright masks on their heads came to express their solidarity with the members of the "Pussy Riot" and quoted the words of a band's song.

The action of August 16 was organized by several young people and announced in the social network "Facebook".

"I have made a phone call to the Tbilisi Mayoralty to take the sanction and to warn that we are going to carry out the action. Officials from the Mayoralty warned me that we should not block sidewalks or driveways and we can stand and express our protest. We hold a small action, and we have no problems with the law enforcement agencies. The situation is calm and quiet. I believe the action has not been attended by many people, since it is a very sensitive issue related to religion, which plays an important in Georgia, and I know that many people here condemn the female members of the band," the "Caucasian Knot" was told by Nestan Mgebrishvili, one of the organizers of the action.

"I like the band 'Pussy Riot': firstly, they are feminists, and, secondly, they play punk rock, which I like. I came to support them and to support freedom of expression. They should not go to prison for that," said a 21-year-old Gvantsa, a participant of the action, who draw with her friends vivid posters in support of the band "Pussy Riot".

"I want to support those courageous women! Yes, I know that to sing in a church half-naked is prohibited by the law; however, they should be judged under those Articles, and in fact they are judged under other charges, and we all know that. I understand that in Georgia, we also have a lot of problems, and we often protest; however, the today's protest is more likely the action of support," emphasized a 28-year-old Vazha, one more participant of the action.

A 26-year-old Anuka, who came to the protest action, believes that the members of the band "Pussy Riot" are not guilty. "Well, what criminal did they sing in the church? They were not protesting against Christianity. It was a protest against the authorities, which try to control everything, and we can clearly see that. And in general, I do not like the fact that church and authorities are so closely related. In Georgia, the situation is similar," she has clarified.