One of the top Muslim clerics in Russia has suggested the two members of the punk bank Pussy Riot should do years of community service as punishment for blaspheming in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow.

ґ"Not necessarily they should go to prison to pose there as heroes and victims, at our expense. There`s nothing better than work. Working hard, one can purge guilt. While your hands are kept busy with mechanical work, for instance, removing garbage from the streets of Moscow, your head can be loaded with useful ideas. And there you go, perhaps that`s the way to clear your head of trash," leading Muslim, Muhammedgali Khuzin told the Interfax news agency.

Earlier this week, the Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Department for Church and Society, Vsevolod Chaplin, described Pussy Riot`s behaviour at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral as "impudent, blatant and aggressive."

On Wednesday, a court in Moscow extended the detention of Maria Alekhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova who could face up to seven years behind bars on charges of hooliganism for their provocative stunt.

Last month, the four masked members of Pussy Riot ran into the cathedral in mini-dresses and performed a song entitled Holy S**t chanting "Mother of God, drive Putin away."

A series of demonstrations have been held in support of the activists while a group of bloggers is currently collecting signatures on a letter to the Head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, calling for mercy.

image from http://pussy-riot.livejournal.com
sections: Celebrities