Madonna and Sting have both spoken out against the Russian authorities for putting three members of Pussy Riot on trial for dissent.
Sting has said the fact that the women could face up to seven years in prison for dissent was 'appalling', while Madge has said she feels 'sorry' for the the three women.
The three members of the girl group were put on trial yesterday, and since then, calls for their release have grown with Amnesty International condemning their treatment at the hands of Russian authorities, and labelling them as 'prisoners of conscience'.
Sting released a statement in which he said that he though the fact that the women could face up to seven years in prison for dissent was 'appalling'.
Above: Sting 'appalled' at the Russian authorities
He said: “Dissent is a legitimate and essential right in any democracy and modern politicians must accept this fact with tolerance.”
Before adding:"A sense of proportion - and a sense of humour - is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Surely the Russian authorities will completely drop these spurious charges and allow the women, these artists, to get back to their lives and to their children."
Madge has settled for being more diplomatic when she spoke to Russian TV. The Queen of pop told a Russian TV channel that she was "sorry" to hear of the band's arrest.
Above: Pussy Riot on trial for dissent
While they are probably the two most famous musicians to add their voices to the outcry against the trial, Peter Gabriel and Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos have also expressed their support.
Rolling Stone has also reported that the Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis was wearing a Pussy Riot t-shirt at their Moscow concert on Sunday.
Entertainment News