YEARENDER 2012 AUGUST A supporter of the Russian band Pussy Riot holds a placard against Vladimir Putin at Prague's Wenceslas Square, Czech Republic, 17 August 2012. The Moscow Khamovnichesky court on 17 August handed down prison sentences of two years for Yekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova for hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. The three young women had staged a protest against then Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in February 2012. Their jailing and trial on hooliganism charges have generated worldwide criticism of constraints on political speech in Russia. EPA/FILIP SINGER
