Alongside recent speculation that Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina may be freed once the new Russian amnesty bill is passed, the Russian Supreme Court have overturned the original ruling and demanded that the trial be heard again.
The Supreme Court was dissatisfied with the ruling of the Moscow court, stating that they saw no evidence of hatred for a social group during the protest held in a cathedral. The original trial had relied upon this for the conviction, alongside apparent religious hatred.
In addition, the Supreme Court felt that their personal situations and the lack of violence displayed during the crime were not taken into account. Both of these factors also make the pair eligible under the proposed amnesty bill.
The Independent has recently speculated that the amnesty bill (separate to the appeal) may come into effect before the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sotchi, to appease the opposition to the Russian human rights legacy. The Sotchi Olympics have found themselves under increased pressure following the imprisonment of a number of protesters, and the treatment of homosexuals across the nation. It is presumably hoped that the bill will move the spotlight away from these human rights issues.
Greenpeace lawyers working to free 30 Arctic Sunrise Crew members have also reportedly stated that the amnesty bill does not currently apply to them in its current form, despite earlier speculation that both the Pussy Riot members and Greenpeace activists may be freed.
The result of the appeal could see Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina freed before the new year, as opposed to their scheduled March date.