Pussy Riot Members Were Whipped and Pepper Sprayed in Sochi [VIDEO]

Several hours ago, members of the band Pussy Riot were beaten and pepper sprayed by Russian cossacks. Per Dan Wolken of USA Today:

"The incident occurred roughly 24 hours after she, bandmate Maria Alyokhina and more than 10 others were detained for questioning by police over an alleged theft at a Sochi hotel. According to The Associated Press, six group members — five women and one man — had put on their signature ski masks and were pulling out a guitar and microphone when at least 10 Cossacks and other security officials moved in. One Cossack appeared to use pepper spray, another whipped several group members while others ripped off their masks and threw the guitar in a garbage can, the news agency reported."

Those accounts are essentially confirmed by the video. Previously, two members of the group were arrested when the band performed in Moscow’s main cathedral; they spent 21 months in prison and were released in late December.