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16 March 2012, 10:01Another Pussy Riot performer detained (updated)
Moscow, March 16, Interfax - The third member of the all-female punk group Pussy Riot detained following a scandalous performance near the entrance to the altar of Moscow's Cathedral of the Christ the Savior has officially been charged with hooliganism.
"The third young woman, Irina Lokteva, who earlier acted as a witness in this case, has been detained for 48 hours. She has already been charged with hooliganism - Article 213 of the Russian Penal Code," lawyer Nikolay Polozov told Interfax on Thursday.
Lokteva was summoned by police investigators and told that she was re-qualified as a suspect, Polozov said.
"As soon as the charges were filed, investigators tried to question her in the new status, but she refused to testify, citing Article 51 of the Russian Constitution," the lawyer said.
Lokteva is feeling depressed, but "the opening of a criminal case came as no surprise to her," he said.
Unlike the group's two other members, who have already been taken into custody, Lokteva does not have children.
The Tagansky Court of Moscow will impose pre-trial restrictions on Lokteva today. Lokteva is currently being held at a remand center, located at 38, Petrovka Street.
On February 21, the feminist punk group Pussy Riot gave a performance near the entrance to the altar of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior. The young women said their performance was "a punk prayer." A criminal case was opened on the basis of the Russian Criminal Code article dealing with hooliganism. |
