Washington -

The United States on Friday urged Russia to reconsider two-year jail terms handed to the punk rock protest band Pussy Riot, voicing concern over the “disproportionate” sentences.

“The United States is concerned about both the verdict and the disproportionate sentences handed down by a Moscow court in the case against the members of the band Pussy Riot and the negative impact on freedom of expression in Russia,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

“We urge Russian authorities to review this case and ensure that the right to freedom of expression is upheld,” she said in a statement.

The three-woman band infuriated the Kremlin by performing a “punk prayer” on February 21 near the altar of Moscow's biggest cathedral in which they belted out a chorus calling on the Virgin Mary to drive out President Vladimir Putin.