Pussy Riot members found guilty in Moscow

Three members of Russian girl punk band Pussy Riot were found guilty of hooliganism by a Moscow district court Friday.

They performed a "punk prayer" calling on the Virgin Mary to "drive Putin out" and were arrested shortly after their performance.

They say they were protesting against the Orthodox Church's support for Putin ahead of the March 4 presidential elections, in which he won a third term in the Kremlin.

Judge Marina Syrova said Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, Maria Alyokhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 30, were guilty and would not be acquitted.

The judge said the action was carefully planned by an organised group.

"The defendants were aware of the offensive nature of their actions," she said.

"They sought to publicise their act and provoke a public reaction; they wanted to insult not only church clergy but also the broad sections of society."

"They have deeply hurt and insulted the faithful," the judge said.