Pussy Riot, And The Russian Justice system, Did They Both Go Too Far This Time?

I had never heard of them until today, this Seven member Russian feminist punk-rock musical collective.
When I did hear their name, both eyebrows were  instantly raised, what an expression, and after the  sentencing of three members of the band, to two years in prison, there are demonstrations around the world saying "Free Pussy Riot"
If you have not heard it by now, you must live on mars. it is all over the News.
So who are these courageous, impulsive young women who decided to challenge the Russian President Putin, and in no other location but in a Place  Sacred to  Christians-  the "Church"
I am all for free speech and expression, but why choose a place of worship.
Well, apparently they choose the oddest locations to protest, Have they gone too far this time?
 They have an outpouring of support from celebrities around the world like Madonna. Strangely this group has never made a record or a hit. Well, they are certainly a hit now.
 Moscow (CNN) -- There is no basic human right to barge into a church to make a political statement, jump around near the altar, and shout obscenities. But there is most certainly the right not to lose your liberty for doing so, even if the act is offensive.


In March 2012, following an unauthorized anti-Putin performance in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, three women from the band were arrested and charged with "hooliganism". Their trial began in late July. Some Orthodox Christian groups and many believers had urged strong punishment for an action they consider a hate crime and blasphemous towards their beliefs. Alexei Nikiforov, a federal prosecutor, demanded prison for the trio because they "abused God". While the majority of Russians supported the trial,the band members gained sympathy both within Russia and internationally, because of allegations of harsh treatment while in custody and a risk of a possible seven-year jail sentence.
On August 17, 2012, the three members were convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred and sentenced to two years imprisonment each. The Russian Orthodox Church issued a statement supporting the conviction, but asking the authorities to show mercy "within the law". The trial has attracted international disquiet as an "emblem of Russia's intolerance of dissent".^[ Foreign ministries of Germany, Sweden and representatives of the European Union and the United States called the sentence "disproportionate".A poll by the Levada Center showed that the majority of Russians did not support Pussy Riot and believed in the fairness of the trial

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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pussy_Riot