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Madonna took the opportunity to voice her support for Russian punk band Pussy Riot during her concert in Moscow on Tuesday, calling the three musicians "courageous".
Madonna also stripped off her shirt to show the band's name written on her back during her concert.
"I know there are many sides to every story, and I have, and I mean no disrespect to the church or the government but I think that these three girls Masha, Katya, Nadya. Yes. I think that they have done something courageous. I think they have paid the price for this act and I pray for their freedom," said Madonna.
Three members of Pussy Riot were arrested for bursting into a Russian Orthodox church and singing a protest against Vladimir Putin on February 21. Accused of inciting religious hatred, Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, could face up to seven years in jail.
Madonna has joined other international performers such as Sting, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Faith No More and Franz Ferdinand by commenting on the trial.
