Today in Pussy Riot: Lawyers Fired, Hearing Delayed

Those who — following comments made by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev — found themselves hopeful in regards to an end to Pussy Riot’s legal drama will be unfortunately disappointed. The hearing that many suspected would lead to the band’s release was scheduled for today, but, following a sudden decision by bandmate/defendant Yekaterina Samutsevich to fire her team of lawyers, the court date has now been pushed back to October 10th.

During an appellate hearing earlier today, Samutsevich told a panel of judges that she no longer wanted representation from attorney Violetta Volkova nor her two other defense lawyers, saying, “My position in the criminal case does not coincide with their position.”

She has yet to go into further details regarding her disagreements with Volkova and has not signed with a new lawyer. Fellow bandmates Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina are supportive of Samutsevich’s decision, but have chosen to keep their legal counsel.