Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in 1997. In his 2002 interview with "Izvestia", Metropolitan Kirill called the allegations about his profiteering a political campaign against him. Alexander Pochinok who was the minister of taxes and levies (1999-2000), said in 2009 that Kirill had no involvement in the violations. Three female members of the feminist group Pussy Riot were arrested in March 2012 for performing a song in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow during which they called on the Virgin Mary to "chase Putin out". The women were arrested for hooliganism and were later sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The song contained swear words
Vladimir Putin in the world who have achieved such status. Putin also practises karate. Putin co-authored a book on his favorite sport, published in Russian as "Judo with Vladimir Putin", and in English under the title "Judo: History, Theory, Practice (2004)." Benjamin Wittes, a black belt in taekwondo and aikido and editor of Lawfare, has disputed Putin's martial arts skills, saying that there is no video evidence of Putin displaying any actual noteworthy judo skills. Vladimir Putin Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; ; born 7 October 1952) is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer serving as President of Russia since 2012, previously