White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration was concerned by the conviction of punk band Pussy Riot in Russia on Friday. The trial, which stemmed from a musical protest in a church against Vladimir Putin’s policies, became a worldwide spectacle as human rights groups accused Russian officials of cracking down on dissent.
According to Earnest, administration officials are “disappointed by the Pussy Riot verdict. While we understand the group’s behavior was offensive for some, we have concerns about the way these young women were treated by the Russian judicial system.”
