Two members of Pussy Riot flee Russia

Two members of Russia’s anti-Kremlin punk band Pussy Riot have fled the country to avoid prosecution for staging a protest against President Vladimir Putin at a church altar, the band said yesterday.

A Moscow court this month sentenced three members of the all-female band to two years in prison for staging a “punk prayer” at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in February and calling on the Virgin Mary to rid Russia of Putin.

Police said they were searching for other members of the band.