Mr Putin criticised the band's appearance in Moscow's Christ the Saviour cathedral, where it performed an anti-Putin "punk prayer" to highlight the Orthodox Church's support for the president.
However, speaking shortly before the three members of the band appeared in a Russian court yesterday, Mr Putin said: "I don't think that they should be judged too severely for this."
The three face up to seven years in prison if found guilty on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred.
Contextual targeting label:
Arts and Entertainment
