Two members of the Russian feminist punk collective Pussy Riot disappeared earlier this week in Crimea but were later found, according to NME. Olya Borisova and Sasha Sofeev had gone missing on Monday, February 26th with the group Twitter account tweeting that the Russian security agency, the FSB had detained the two women and broken their cell phones and computers. Both women have been released from custody.
Since their formation in 2011, Pussy Riot has become a lightning rod for controversy in America as well as in Russia, with the members being detained and imprisoned numerous times for their protests against the Putin regime. A few months ago the group released a new song and a new video in the form of “Police State” a scathing critque of the current state of political affairs in the US and Russia. Additionally, Pussy Riot recently released details for their first ever US tour this spring. Over the course of their career, the collective has become known for their fiery live performances and for their outspoken political nature, which got them imprisoned in Russia for over two years.
Two Pussy Riot members are missing. Olya Borisova & Sasha Sofeev disappeared in Crimea yesterday.
FSB detained them several times. Yesterday cops broke their phones and computers. We can not reach out to them.
We don’t know what has happened to them. pic.twitter.com/6pRtgCIbi3
— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018
we found Sasha and Olya. they were detained several times but safe now.
thank you for your help!!
— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018
Photo credit Brett Padelford