Putin on Pussy Riot

Perhaps offering a ray of hope to the protesting punk rockers, Russia's president cautioned against judging them harshly

President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday the three women in the band Pussy Riot who performed a "protest prayer" at Russia's main cathedral should not be judged too harshly, raising defense lawyers' hopes that they could escape lengthy jail terms.

His comments, reported by Russian news agencies from a visit to London, suggested the three members of the punk band could escape the maximum seven-year jail term following international criticism of the Kremlin over the case.