. >> former world chess champion gary as barack -- gary kasparov making a break for freedom. the scene outside the moscow trial this evening as feelings among the opposition ran high. "free pussy riot," the check from the crowd as they wait for news from the courts. the three defendants were led into the courtroom in handcuffs, which stayed on them throughout today's verdict. young political artist, they found themselves in the middle of one of the most controversial trials in recent russian history, branded as blasphemous and enemies of their country. their crime was to sing parts of this anti-vladimir putin protests on in moscow was the main cathedral. it was an act that did opinion -- offended millions of russians that the song was laced with that language and son in one of the most sacred parts of the church. >> as the judge, whom the court cameras did not show, gave each of the two years in a penal colony, the women smiled. that is okay, one could be seen saying to her credit and appeared despite the harsh conditions, they can expect in a prison far from home, outside co

. >> an opposition activist and former world chess player, gary kasparov, wa sthere. -- was there. shortly afterward, he was arrested along with several other leading opposition members. the band's supporters say the trial was politically motivated and that the verdict was dictated by the kremlin. >> german chancellor angela merkel said today that politically active citizens are not a threat to russia. that is a direct indictment of what many say is the kremlin pose a growing intolerance of political dissent. i spoke with the german government's human rights commissioner, and i asked him for his read on the guilty verdict. >> i believe this is a completely inadequate sentence. these young women should be released. what they have done is covered by freedom of speech. it is their right to express what they have expressed, and they should be out of jail by now. >> this verdict is the latest in a series of harsh rulings against critics of the regime. what does it tell us about the judicial system in russia? >> since president putin is back as president, we see two things happening -- a

even the chess star gary kasparov was arrested. this kind of reaction is one reason the punk band says it started protesting in the first place. this is the so-called punk prayer that got them arrested back in february. they stormed the altar of a moscow cathedral calling on the virgin mary to chase president vladimir putin away. it infuriated the faithful and the authorities. critics say the arrests were putin's personal revenge and this trial was simply an instrument of his oppression. >> putin is a man who likes to show his vengeance and for them it seemed like the perfect chance to do it. >> reporter: the trial brought international condemnation from stars such as paul mccartney, sting, and madonna who had the band's name written across her back when she performed in moscow last week. >> i am against censorship and i hope they do not have to serve seven years in jail. that would be a tragedy. >> reporter: in the end the sentence was two years not seven. for some even that was too much. the white house called it disproportionate

even chess star, gary kasparov, was arrested. this kind of reaction is one reason why the punk band says it started protesting in the first place. they call themselves pussy riot and this is what got them arrested in february. they stormed the altar of a moscow cathedral, calling on the virgin mary to chase vladimir putin away. it has infuriated the faithful and the authorities. critics say the arrests were putin's personal revenge and this trails of simply an instrument of his oppression. >> putin is a man who likes to show his vengeance and for them, it seemed the perfect chance to do it. >> reporter: the trial brought international condemnation from stars such as paul mccartney, sting and madonna, who had the band's name written across her back when she performed in moscow last week. >> i'm against censorship. and i hope that they do not have to serve seven years in jail. that would be a tragedy. >> reporter: in the end, the sentence two was years, not seven. for some, even that was too much. duncan goal list stanny, nbc news,

hundreds -- dozens were reportedly arrested, including the opposition leader and chess champion gary kasparovwho says he was brutally beaten by police. the case was seen as a key test of how far russian leader vladimir putin would go to crack down against dissidents in his third stint as president of russia. speaking from inside a glass cage and the courtroom, as the trial wrapped up earlier this month, a jailed pussy riot member condemned putin's administration. >> when we talk about pretend, first and foremost we have vladimir putin, but the system that is created. all control is carried out effectively by one person. what worries me most is the opinion of the younger generation is not taken into consideration we believe the ineffectiveness of this in ministration is evident and practically everything. >> that was one of the gel could see right members. -- jailed pussy riot members. on friday, just after the guilty verdict was announced, "democracy now!" spoke with jd samson the two bands la tigre and men. we asked her to read some of the lyrics. >> virgin mary, mother of god, put putin awa

a few dozen were rounded up, including the former world chess champion gary kasparov, who could stillouting after the door to the police van closed with him inside. this evening, the russian orthodox church said in a statement the verdict was lawful, but it asked for mercy, though it didn't spell out what mercy meant. "the women's action slapped christians in the face," this priest said. but he added that god had already punished them by taking away their common sense. the kremlin hasn't commented, though president putin said two weeks ago that the women should not be judged too harshly. >> woodruff: coming up later tonight, we'll examine what today's verdict means for putin's struggle with the opposition. and on our web site, see the song that got the band in trouble in the first place. >> brown: next, who's filling that summer job? newshour economics correspondent paul solman looks at a program bringing in student workers from around the world. it's part of his ongoing reporting, "making sense of fincial news." >> we're gonna die for this game today! and we want to win it! >> report

chess master and putin political rival gary kasparov talks to maria about his arrest supporting freedom of speech in russia. that's all ahead on "the closing bell." it's something you're born with. and inspires the things you choose to do. you do what you do... because it matters. at hp we don't just believe in the power of technology. we believe in the power of people when technology works for you. to dream. to create. to work. if you're going to do something. make it matter. wanted to provide better employee benefits while balancing the company's bottom line, their very first word was... [ to the tune of "lullaby and good night" ] ♪ af-lac ♪ aflac [ male announcer ] find out more at... [ duck ] aflac! [ male announcer ] ...forbusiness.com. [ yawning sound ] to dabble with the idea of hybrid technology, it's already engrained in our dna. during the golden opportunity sales event, get great values on some of our newest models. this is the pursuit of perfection. with scottrader streaming quotes, any way you want. fully customize it for your trading process -- from thought to trade, on ev