Paul McCartney recently renewed his support for Pussy Riot, the Russian all-girl punk group who was convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred. McCartney wrote a letter after hearing that group member Maria Alyokhina was going to go on a hunger strike after she was not allowed to attend her parole hearing.

In a letter posted on his website, McCartney wrote, "My personal belief is that further incarceration for Maria will be harmful for her and the situation as a whole, which, of course, is being watched by people all over the world . . . In the great tradition of fair-mindedness which the Russian people many of whom are my friends are famous for, I believe that you granting this request would send a very positive message to all the people who have followed this case."

McCartney also wrote a letter in support of Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, another member of Pussy Riot, who was denied parole last month. He wrote in part, "I have had a long relationship with the Russian people, and, with this in mind, I am making the following request in a spirit of friendship for my many Russian acquaintances who, like me, believe in treating people . . . all people, with compassion and kindness."

The group was sentenced to two years in jail on the hooliganism. Alyokhina parole hearing was scheduled to conclude on Thursday, May 23rd.

Click here to see the letters McCartney wrote

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