Will the Pussies be FREE?

A verdict in the trial of three members of the Russian punk band Pussy Riot is due shortly.

The three women are charged with hooliganism after performing a protest song in Moscow's Christ the Saviour cathedral in February.

They say their "punk prayer" was a political act in protest against the Russian Orthodox Church's support of President Vladimir Putin.

Prosecutors have asked for them to be given three years in prison.

Supporters of the women are planning to hold protests outside Russian embassies around the world as the verdict, scheduled for 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT) is announced.

Maria Alyokhina, 24, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 22, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, along with other members of their band, staged a flashmob-style performance of their song close to the altar in the cathedral on 21 February.

Their obscenity-laced song implored the Virgin Mary to "throw Putin out".

High-profile support

Their act enraged the Orthodox Church, with its leader Patriarch Kirill, saying the act amounted to blasphemy.

Patriarch Kirill is closely identified with the Kremlin, having backed Mr Putin's re-election as president this year.

On the eve of the verdict, Ms Tolokonnikova said she was "not bitter about being in jail".

But, speaking through her lawyer on Twitter, she said: "Politically, I am furious."

"Our imprisonment serves as a clear and unambiguous sign that freedom is being taken away from the entire country."