Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, the founder of Pussy Riot, has become a defendant in a criminal case opened by the Moscow Investigative Committee. The case centers on alleged insults to the feelings of believers under part 1 of article 148 of the Russian Criminal Code. This development was reported by human rights advocate Pavel Chikov via his Telegram channel.
Chikov stated that Tolokonnikova is accused of humiliating religious believers, and that the meshchansky interregional department of the Moscow Investigative Committee is handling the investigation. The case is based on posts circulating on social media, which reportedly prompted investigators to initiate the proceedings. Authorities conducted multiple searches as part of the inquiry.
Tolokonnikova has resided in the United States for several years, continuing to be a prominent public figure associated with the Pussy Riot movement on matters of free expression and church-state relations.
In 2012, she, along with Maria Alekhina and Ekaterina Samutsevich, was convicted for acts inside the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. Tolokonnikova served one year and ten months in prison and was released in December 2013.
Following the Pussy Riot case, amendments were made to Article 148 of the Penal Code to broaden protections for believers against offenses that insult religious feelings.
Historically, the group’s actions in the cathedral and the ensuing public reaction were noted by commentators, including philologist Andrei Desnitsky, who reflected on the event and its long-term social and cultural impact.