Pussy Riot Support: Red Hot Chili Peppers, Franz Ferdinand Defend Jailed Russian Punk Band

Members of Russian punk group Pussy Riot got some support this weekend from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Franz Ferdinand, months after being detained for voicing opposition towards President Vladimir Putin.

According to Russian site Ria Novosti, the group's three members -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich -- have been in pre-trial custody since March. The trio was charged with hooliganism for playing a "blasphemous" song entitled "Holy S**t" in Moscow's largest cathedral and voicing their opposition to the church's support for Putin. The three -- who were detained after Pussy Riot members performed the song -- could face up to seven years in jail if found guilty.

During their concert Sunday at Moscow's Luzniky Stadium, Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis wore a t-shirt with the band's name on it. Kiedis and bassist Flea also wrote letters supporting Pussy Riot, which they gave to Pyotr Verizolov, Tolonkonnikova's husband.

"Nadya and Katya and Masha, we love you, we love to support you and are here to help you... Anthony Kiedis," the singer's letter read. Flea's letter echoed similar sentiments, adding he applauded "your bravery and I pray for your release."

Meanwhile, Franz Ferdinand dedicated "This Fire" to the jailed trio during a Moscow concert Sunday. According to Radio Liberty -- and reported by Ria Novosti -- singer Alex Kapranos said the song "is dedicated to all of those musicians that end up in jail for just saying what they think."

"This is for the girls in Pussy Riot," Kapranos continued. "Please show your support for the jailed members of the band Pussy Riot, even if you are not a fan of their music."

Kapranos elaborated via Twitter. "I'm sure you are all fans of their right to express their opinion," he tweeted. "Any world leader who claims to be a fan of John Lennon... then attempts to imprison contemporary who express their political views, is the worst kind of hyprocrite: a dangerous one."

When someone replied they were proud Pussy Riot was being imprisoned, Kapranos replied with the following: "Russia's traditions are strong and you should be proud of them. When you're strong it means nothing if someone mocks you."

Meanwhile, a Moscow judge denied the trio's request to summon Putin and Patriarch Kirill of Moscow for the trial and refused returning the case back to prosecutors for "further investigation." Judge Marina Syrova however did allow the the band's lawyers additional time to study the materials up to July 27.

Although some have asked both Putin and others to show leniency, Church official Vsevolod Chaplin said in June that God voiced his unhappiness to Chaplin over the protest. "This sin will be punished in this life and the next," God told Chaplin.

In January the band gained notoriety by performing a quick set in Red Square to show opposition to Putin, including chanting "Putin's got scared" before police stopped the proceedings.