In Moscow to perform a concert, Madonna urges the Russian authorities not to jail the three women from punk band Pussy Riot Reuters

Madonna has voiced hope that three feminist Russian rockers from the band Pussy Riot who are on trial for performing a "punk prayer" against Vladimir Putin are released soon. The pop star told the Associated Press during her concert tour of Russia: "I'm against censorship, so I hope that the judge is lenient with them and that they are freed soon."

Two weeks before Putin's return to the presidency in March's election, Pussy Riot danced in Moscow's main cathedral while singing "Virgin Mary, drive Putin away!" The three were arrested, and have spent five months in custody on charges of hooliganism. They face seven years in prison if convicted.

International rights groups have called them prisoners of conscience. The case against Pussy Riot, which has been marked by procedural abnormalities and conducted extremely rapidly, is expected to conclude this week.

Very public declarations of support have been made by a number of leading bands, such as the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand, touring Russia this summer.