Pussy Riot claims responsibility for suit-wearing fans interrupting World Cup final

The start of the second half of the World Cup final between France and Croatia was interrupted by four fans wearing suits storming the field and getting dragged off by security.

It wasn’t long before the Russian feminist punk band “Pussy Riot” claimed responsibility for running onto the field and interrupting the game.

BREAKING: Pussy Riot claims responsibility for four people running onto field during World Cup final.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 15, 2018

Who are they?

Pussy Riot is a Russian, progressive feminist punk band formed in 2011 who has been deeply critical of Russian president Vladimir Putin and the government. The group considers the leader a dictator, and the 11-member band has changed over the years from performing music critical of the government and the Russian orthodox church, to become a social movement inside the country.

This was the incident the Russian government was worried about.

Putin worked ahead of the World Cup to ensure there would be no incidents that would “embarrass” the nation with the world’s eyes watching. Police met with Russian Ultras to ensure they would not be violent during the games, and worked behind the scenes to stop protests.

Pussy Riot storming the field was about garnering the world’s attention.

In 2012 five band members were arrested for “hooliganism” after performing in Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Many criticized the charges as being a trumped-up attempt to silence the band, who have been extremely critical of Putin.

They were sentenced to two years in penal colony, and when asked whether the members of the band would ask for a pardon from Putin their lawyer responded:

”Under no circumstances will the girls ask for a pardon [from Putin] … They will not beg and humiliate themselves before such a bastard”

The incident sparked an international incident, with the west being highly critical of how the Pussy Riot case was being handled in Russia — prompting their early release in December of 2013.