Putin suggests leniency for Pussy Riot punk band protesters

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday he did not favour a tough punishment in the trial of an all-girl punk band which performed a song against his rule in Moscow's biggest church.

"There is nothing good in what they did," news agencies quoted Mr Putin as saying about the three Pussy Riot members. "Nevertheless, I do not think that they should be judged too severely for this."

Mr Putin's first comments on a case that has split Russian opinion and drawn concern from both global music stars and Western states suggests a lenient ruling in the ongoing trial of the three 20-something part-time musicians.

The band - its members dressed in tight neon dresses and knitted balaclavas - in February performed a "punk prayer" in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral that included lyrics condemning the Church's open support for the state.