Pussy Riot star: 'Life in Russia is the same free as it is in jail'

Photo: WENN

Freed Pussy Riot member Yekaterina Samutsevic has said that she doesn't think there's much of a difference in life now that she's out of jail.

While fellow members Nadejda Tolokonnikova and Maria Aliokhina were given two year sentences in a tough Russian penal colony, Samutsevic received a suspended sentence and was freed from jail on appeal.

However, Samutsevic has stated she does not feel particularly free. She told Rolling Stone: "I don't see a big difference between being in jail and out.

"There are as many police on the streets as there were in jail; OMON [special police], everything is guarded, there are white cars monitoring phone conversations.

"The atmosphere of control. And these anti-citizen laws that were passed this summer. Everything is turning."

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Samutsevic went on to say that this has not dissauded her from taking part in more protests, adding: "I will try to avoid arrest, but if we have this crazy government that is ready to jail people for any action, then I won't be quiet.

"We won't be quiet. I will not renounce my beliefs."

She finished by saying that future protests will not necessarily be quieter, although she knows that people will be comparing them to the well publicised protest at the church.

Samutsevic said: "They will compare it to what happened at the Christ the Savior Church. Many people talk about it – how loud was the previous act and what we will do if the next thing will be less loud.

"In reality, we are not afraid of that."

Watch a video of the band's original protest below: