Madonna will introduce 'fellow freedom fighters' from Pussy Riot at Amnesty International benefit in Brooklyn

Next week, Madonna will introduce Pussy Riot members, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, at Amnesty International's benefit at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

They were freed from prison in late December after two years behind bars for protesting Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2012.

"I am honored to introduce my fellow freedom fighters Masha and Nadya from Pussy Riot," Madonna said in a statement, Rolling Stone reports. "I have admired their courage and have long supported their commitment and the sacrifices they have made in the name of freedom of expression and human rights."

According to New York Times, the Pussy Riot members will speak at next week’s event, featuring performances by Imagine Dragons, the Flaming Lips, Lauryn Hill and others, about being prisoners of conscience. Amnesty identifies them as nonviolent people who are put behind bars for their beliefs, race, gender or sexual orientation.

“We will never forget what it’s like to be in prison after a political conviction. We have vowed to continue helping those who remain behind bars,” they have said.

image: CBS

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