The lengthy saga of imprisoned Pussy Riot members Nadya Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina could be coming to a close this week thanks to a new far-reaching amnesty law passed by Russian parliament.
The Guardian reports that the amendment to the country's amnesty law was passed today (December 18) and will cover those who have been accused of hooliganism.
President Vladimir Putin is backing the law, which is seen as an effort to boost Russia's image ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which kick off in less than two months.
Tolokonnikova's husband Petya Verzilov said that while it could take up to six months, he believes an order has been given to speed up the process of Pussy Riot's release. As such, they could be released as early as tomorrow.
"They [Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina] are slightly sceptical of course," he told the Guardian. "When you're living in these conditions it's hard to think about the Duma passing some bill, and it seems like it could never happen, so it's a big surprise for them that it does actually seem to be happening."
Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina are serving time for their role in a political protest at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in early 2012.
The Guardian reports that the amendment to the country's amnesty law was passed today (December 18) and will cover those who have been accused of hooliganism.
President Vladimir Putin is backing the law, which is seen as an effort to boost Russia's image ahead of the 2014 Winter Olympics, which kick off in less than two months.
Tolokonnikova's husband Petya Verzilov said that while it could take up to six months, he believes an order has been given to speed up the process of Pussy Riot's release. As such, they could be released as early as tomorrow.
"They [Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina] are slightly sceptical of course," he told the Guardian. "When you're living in these conditions it's hard to think about the Duma passing some bill, and it seems like it could never happen, so it's a big surprise for them that it does actually seem to be happening."
Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina are serving time for their role in a political protest at Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in early 2012.
