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Madonna Supports Pussy Riot in Moscow, Urges Russian Fans to 'Pray For' Jailed Punk Band

Markus Schreiber, AP

MOSCOW (AP) -- Madonna has expressed support for the jailed members of Russian punk band Pussy Riot by donning a ski mask and scrawling the group's name on her back.

In March, two weeks before Vladimir Putin won Russia's presidency for the third time, members of the female band high-kicked and danced in Moscow's main cathedral, singing "Virgin Mary, drive Putin away!"

The three now face seven years in jail in a case that has outraged human rights groups.

Madonna voiced support for Pussy Riot at a Tuesday night concert in Moscow, saying she'd "pray for them." She then turned her bare back, which had "Pussy Riot" written on it, to the audience and put on the black mask, the band's symbol.

She went on to sing her 1990s hit, "Human Nature."

Watch Madonna Onstage in Moscow

See Madonna's Daughter Lourdes in Our "Most Stylish Music Offspring" Gallery



Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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