Ukrainian activist cuts down cross in Pussy Riot protest

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A topless women's rights activist has chopped down a Christian
cross in the centre of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv with a power saw
in protest against the prosecution of Russian feminist punk band
Pussy Riot.

The protest comes as a Russian court prepares to deliver a
verdict on three band members for performing a political "punk
prayer" at the altar of Moscow's main cathedral - a case that has
been criticised by free-speech advocates around the world.

To show support for Pussy Riot, a member of Ukrainian group
Femen - which regularly stages bare-breasted shock performances -
destroyed a large wooden cross bearing the figure of the crucified
Christ, erected in 2005 in memory of victims of political
repressions under the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin's regime,

"No business, not even one as successful as the church, has the
right to attack women's rights," activist Inna Shevchenko said
after cutting down the cross.

She had the words 'Free Riot' written across her chest.

There were no police at the scene.

Femen's move is certain to trigger outrage among religious
groups in the country where Orthodox Christianity is the main
religion.

It represented a departure for Femen activists who have mainly
confined their activities to baring their breasts at public events
to highlight their campaign against prostitution and sex
tourism.

When Ukraine hosted the European soccer championship in June - a
popular event that many Ukrainians saw as recognition of the
country's place in the European mainstream - Femen used the event
to stage high-visibility protests.

Femen activists attempted to steal the championship's trophy and
held several protests in the official Kyiv "fan zone" where
thousands of foreign tourists were massed.