Court Website Hacked Over Russian Punk Band's Conviction

Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, 23, Maria Alekhina, 24, and Yekaterina Samutsevich, 29, were found guilty of hooliganism charges on Friday (17Aug12) after taking aim at President Vladimir Putin in song during a Moscow church service in February (12).

They were sentenced to two years behind bars for the crime, but the controversial ruling sparked protests outside the Khamovniki district court and prompted stars like Madonna to call for the feminists' release.

On Tuesday (21Aug12), the court's website was targeted by cyber-crooks, who posted Pussy Riot's new song, titled Putin is Lighting the Fires of Revolution, on the home page and altered one news headline to read: "Putin's thieving gang is robbing our country! Wake up, comrades!"

Activists at campaign group Anonymous claimed responsibility for the hacking and the website was later shut down by court officials.

Authorities are now investigating the incident in a bid to track down those responsible and charge them for the crime.