Pussy Riot 'Cheated' By Russian President

The defence lawyer for Russian punk band Pussy Riot face says the women will be handed long jail terms despite President Vladimir Putin's public call for leniency.

A Moscow court refused to hear most defence witnesses called to testify, dimming hopes among human rights groups that Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, could escape lengthy sentences.

The members of the seven-strong feminist group face up to seven years behind bars, after staging a performance in a Moscow cathedral against Mr Putin's return as president.

Mr Putin said in London on Thursday that there was "nothing good" about the February protest which saw the band performing a "punk prayer" at the altar of the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, calling on the Virgin Mary to "Throw Putin out!"

"Nonetheless, I don't think that they should be judged so harshly for this," he said.

But defence lawyer Violetta Volkova said his comments could lead to harsher punishments.

"The authorities are now trying to imitate the rule of law and an unbiased trial," she said.

"Why imitate? Because the ... looming harsh sentence will prove that the court is independent.

"If Putin did not intend to influence the trial, he should not have made any statements. He should have stayed silent."

Another defence lawyer, Nikolai Polozov, wrote on Twitter: "Putin cheated us yet again. The court continues pressurising the defendants and ourselves."

Police detained at least three people outside the court on the fifth day of the trial after they climbed the balcony and shouted: "Freedom to Pussy Riot".

The band's performance was part of a wider winter protest movement against Mr Putin's return to the presidency for a third term.

It was the largest wave of dissent he has faced in his 12 years serving either as president or prime minister.