A Femen activist uses a chainsaw to cut down an Orthodox cross in Kyiv on August 17.
Femen Activists Cut Down Cross In Kyiv
Ukrainian activists from the Femen movement have cut down a cross in central Kyiv in a gesture of solidarity with the members of the Russian feminist performance-art group Pussy Riot, on trial in Moscow.
The cross -- erected during Ukraine's 2004-05 Orange Revolution in memory of the victims of communism -- was located near the International Center for Culture and Arts in Kyiv. A topless Femen activist used a chainsaw to cut down the cross.
Femen said in a statement, "On the day of the sentencing, the Femen women's movement expresses its support and respect for its Russian colleagues from the group Pussy Riot. ... By this act, Femen calls on all healthy forces of society to mercilessly saw out of their heads all the rotten religious prejudice that serves as a foundation for dictatorship and prevents the development of democracy and women's freedom."
The three women from Pussy Riot have been charged with hooliganism motivated by religious hatred after performing what they called a "punk prayer" at a landmark Moscow church in February.
The women deny intending to offend believers, arguing the February 21 protest was part of a broad movement against Vladimir Putin's decision to return to the Kremlin as president for a third term.
A verdict is expected shortly.
The cross falls
Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, Interfax, and RT
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
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