Apparently, Russia really doesn’t care how it looks on the world stage. As six members of Pussy Riot attempted to perform in Sochi, Cossacks and other security officials moved in to attack them with what appeared to be pepper spray and horsewhips. The incident lasted less than three minutes, but one member, a man, was left with his face bleeding, claiming he was pushed to the ground. Yesterday, two former members of Pussy Riot were detained by Russian police, but ultimately released. Pussy Riot, Cossacks, arrests, and public whippings—it’s getting harder to tell if this is theater of cruelty or just theater.
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