By Agence France-Presse
Friday, August 17, 2012 16:12 EDT

Britain added its voice to the international chorus of criticism of Russia on Friday after a court jailed three members of punk band Pussy Riot for criticising President Vladimir Putin

Alistair Burt, a junior foreign minister, said he was deeply concerned by Russia’s “disproportionate response” to what he said had been “an expression of political belief”.

Burt said reports about the conditions in which the women will serve their sentence, and the conduct of the trial, were “concerning”.

Britain’s relations with Russia are only just starting to improve after a frosty period following the killing in London of Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, who was poisoned with highly radioactive polonium in 2006.

The minister said the government “is committed to a relationship with Russia in which we can discuss differences frankly and constructively”.

He added: “We have repeatedly called on the Russian authorities to protect human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, and apply the rule of law in a non-discriminatory and proportionate way.

“Today’s verdict calls into question Russia’s commitment to protect these fundamental rights and freedoms.”

A court sentenced the three women to two-year jail sentences for the anti-Putin stunt performed in a prominent Moscow church.