One of the world's biggest pop stars, Madonna has come out in defence of the three women on trial for charges of hooliganism in Russia. On the latest leg of her world tour, the singer said it'd be a tragedy if the girls from Pussy Riot went to jail.

Maria Alyokhina, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Ye-katerina Samutsevich danced and sang expletive-filled songs in defiance of Vladmir Putin on the altar of Moscow's main cathedral. Nuns and security guards tried in vain to stop their performance which got them jailed back earlier this year. They'd enraged church and government leaders.

So Madonna's joined other Western governments, human rights organisations and other celebrities by wading into the debate in her own special way. Last night she appearing on stage with PUSSY RIOT tattooed across her back for the audience to see. Today at a visit to a fitness club in Moscow she spoke out I'm against censorship, and (throughout) my whole career I've always promoted freedom of expression, freedom of speech. So obviously, I think what's happening to them (Pussy Riot) is unfair. And I hope that they do not have to serve seven years in jail, that would be a tragedy," "I think art should be political. I think art through history, historically speaking, art always reflects what's going on socially. So for me it's hard to separate the idea of being an artist and being political"

The three young women delivered their final plea in court today and were sent back to jail while people outside chanted FREEDOM. Their lawyer issued his thanks for the widespread international support saying if Pussy Riot are sent to jail, it would mean the 'authorities have unequivocally chosen a path towards dictatorship". That final decision is due sometime next week.