Suu Kyi urges Pussy Riot release

Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, has called for the release of the members of the Russian punk rock band Pussy Riot.

At an event organised by Amnesty International today, Ms Suu Kyi accepted a bouquet from the family of one of the group’s three members, Nadia Tolokonnikova.

The punk band were sentenced to two years in prison last month for performing an irreverent song mocking Russian President Vladimir Putin inside Moscow’s main cathedral.

Responding to a question, Ms Suu Kyi said: “I don’t see why people should not sing whatever they want to sing.”

She added jokingly that that was unless they sing terribly.

Ms Suu Kyi was one of the world’s most famous political prisoners until her release two years ago.