Pussy Riot: New Video Attack On Putin

Russian provocateurs Pussy Riot are back in action, releasing a new music video nearly a year after three of their members went to prison for a prank denouncing President Vladimir Putin.

The new video shows the band members in trademark bright-coloured ski masks and short skirts, cavorting on top of an oil rig.

Backed by hectic guitar and a drum fusillade, they liken the president to an Iranian ayatollah.

As they pour oil on a large photo of Igor Sechin, the chairman of state oil giant Rosneft, they shout: "Homophobic reptile - get out of history."

One member of the collective, who gave only her stage name of Grelka, said: "The main message is that Putin has spread the country's wealth amongst his friends."

She said she hoped there would be a response to the new video, but she did not expect it to amount to much.

"In Russia maybe 1% will support us because society in general is not very interested in politics despite Bolotnaya (Bolotnaya Square where mass anti-Putin rallies took place last year) and other events," she said.

"Comparing it to the West is laughable."

Three members of the band - Maria Alekhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Yekaterina Samutsevich - were convicted last year of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred" for an impromptu punk protest against Mr Putin in Moscow's main cathedral.

They were sentenced to two years in prison, despite widespread criticism - including from the likes of stars such as Madonna - that Russia was suppressing free speech and opposition.

Samutsevich was later released on appeal. A court in the Mordovia province earlier this year denied parole to Tolokonnikova.

Grelka said the members knew they were taking risks by making another video.

"If the response and effect from this action are big, then, well, we understand, what we are going to face," she said.