Two members of Pussy Riot found after "disappearing" in Crimea

February 27, 2018

According to a tweet from Pussy Riot, two members of the feminist punk group had reportedly gone missing in Crimea but are now safe after being “detained several times.”

Earlier today, the band shared that two members, Olya Borisova and Sasha Sofeev, disappeared in Crimea after being detained several times by the FSB after they entered the Russian-annexted Crimea on Sunday.

The band claimed that Russian police broke their phones and computers, cutting off any form of contact from the two missing members. “We can not reach out to them. We don’t know what has happened to them.”

Two Pussy Riot members are missing. Olya Borisova & Sasha Sofeev disappeared in Crimea yesterday.

FSB detained them several times. Yesterday cops broke their phones and computers. We can not reach out to them.

We don't know what has happened to them. pic.twitter.com/6pRtgCIbi3

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018

According to Radio Free Europe, the band's third member, Maria Alyokhina, was also detained upon her arrival to Crimea but was eventually released. The website also spoke with a Crimean lawyer, Emil Kurbedinov, who said on Feb. 26 that the group was “brought to a medical institution for testing” but he could not provide further details about the matter.

In a follow-up tweet, the band shared that Borisova and Sofeev were found and are safe after being detained several times. Consequnce of Sound spoke with a representative for Pussy Riot, and they confirmed that the news of the members' safety is true.

we found Sasha and Olya. they were detained several times but safe now.

thank you for your help!!

— Pussy Riot (@pussyrrriot) February 27, 2018

Pussy Riot have had legal run-ins in the past, including a famous two-year prison sentence on charges of hooliganism driven by religious hatred, following a protest performance in Moscow's main cathedral. Since their release, the band have focused on raising awareness for “prisoners of conscience,” or those who are jailed for political or religious views that are not shared by their own government.

The band are also preparing to hit the road on their first ever North American headlining tour. You can check out the dates below!

Tour dates and cities:
03/06 – Chicago, IL @ Subterranean
03/10 – St. Paul, MN @ Turf Club
03/18 – Mexico, MEX @ Vive Latino
03/20 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (sold out)
03/21 – Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (sold out)
03/22 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey
03/23 – Seattle, WA @ Vera Project
03/25 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
03/27 – Santa Cruz, CA @ The Atrium at The Catalyst
03/28 – San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop (sold out)
03/31 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo (sold out)
04/01 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo
05/18 – Gulf Shores, AL @ Hangout Festival
05/25 – Boston, MA @ Boston Calling