Russian punk band and activist group Pussy Riot started their European tour with a protest against the Russian leadership at a performance in Berlin Thursday night.
Activist Maria Alyokhina, who recently fled Russia, was with the band as they performed, with loud support from the crowd for the protest.
The 'Pussy Riot Anti-War Tour' is a performance project with music, theatre and video elements based on Alyokhina's book 'Riot Days.'
The money generated from the concerts will go to minors fleeing the war in Ukraine and a hospital in the country.
Pussy Riot became internationally known when in 2012, Alyokhina and several other members entered a cathedral near the Kremlin to sing a song denouncing then-Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin.
She and bandmate Nadezhda Tolokonnikova were each sent to labour camps for two years.
Navalny
They were pardoned and freed at the end of 2013, but Alyokhina has repeatedly been targeted by Russian authorities, including in connection with imprisoned Kremlin opponent Alexei Navalny. A night-time curfew was placed on her last year.
It was reported earlier this week that she had fled Russia despite being under police surveillance.
Pussy Riot have announced 19 performances for their tour and are due to appear in cities including Munich, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Zagreb, Barcelona and Lisbon.
