Activists affiliated with Russian punk band Pussy Riot disrupted the final game of the World Cup in Moscow, storming the field Sunday in an anti-authoritarian protest as Russian President Vladimir Putin watched.
Four activists participated in the protest during the final match between France and Croatia, which also was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron.
A female activist dressed as a policewoman give a high-five to French forward Kylian Mbappe, while Croatian defender Dejan Lovren helped authorities detain a male activist by shoving him.
Two other women participated in the protest and were taken to jail before France defeated Croatia with a 4-2 score.
“The citizens in question were taken to the local police station,” the Moscow branch of the Russian Interior Ministry told the Associated Press.
In an English-language statement posted to Twitter, Pussy Riot demanded freedom for political prisoners, an end to “illegal arrests” at political rallies, and freedom to “like” content on social media without criminal charges.
The group also called for greater “political competition,” less prosecutorial corruption, and improved policing.
NEWS FLASH! Just a few minutes ago four Pussy Riot members performed in the FIFA World Cup final match — ”Policeman enters the Game”https://t.co/3jUi5rC8hh pic.twitter.com/W8Up9TTKMA
— ????? ???? (@pussyrrriot) July 15, 2018
The protest comes a day ahead of President Trump’s Monday meeting in Finland with Putin, whose government is accused of intervening in the 2016 U.S. election to help Trump win.
Trump congratulated Putin for hosting a successful World Cup, writing on Twitter shortly after France’s victory in the tournament: “[C]ongratulations to President Putin and Russia for putting on a truly great World Cup Tournament — one of the best ever!”
Pussy Riot is known for balaclava-masked women engaging in anti-Putin protests, infuriating conservative Russians and government officials. Three members of the group were sentenced to prison in 2012 after a performance inside a Russian Orthodox cathedral. Previous protests included members walking up to police officers on Moscow’s subway and kissing them.
