DHAKA: Maria Alyokhina, a member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, has been freed early from prison under an amnesty.

She told a Russian TV channel the amnesty was a ‘PR stunt’ and she would rather have remained in prison, reports the BBC.

The release of fellow band member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is also expected later Monday.

The pair were jailed in August 2012 for ‘hooliganism motivated by religious hatred’ after performing a protest song in Moscow`s main cathedral.

The conviction of the women was criticised by rights groups, anti-Putin activists and foreign governments.

Their sentences were due to end in March 2014, but they have known since last week that their release was imminent under an amnesty law signed by the Russian parliament.

The law covers at least 20,000 prisoners, including minors, invalids, veterans, pregnant women, and mothers. Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina were included as they both have young children.

The amnesty was widely seen as attempt to avoid controversy overshadowing the Winter Olympics in February, due to be hosted in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

BDST: 1405 HRS, DEC 23, 2013
Edited by Robab Rosan, Current Affairs Editor