Pussy Riot band member Maria Alyokhina escapes Russia dressed as meals courier after criticising Putin | World Information

Political activist and member of the Russian band Pussy Riot has reportedly fled the country disguised as a food courier after criticising Vladimir Putin.

Maria Alyokhina and her fellow band members first came to the attention of the Russian authorities after staging a protest against the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Regardless of being sentenced to 2 years in jail for their activism, the group continued to speak out in opposition to the Kremlin leader, with Ms Alyokhina remaining determined to battle Mr Putin's system.

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After being launched from prison, she continued her activism and arrange a news outlet targeted on crime and punishment in Russia, known as Mediazona, with another member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities placed her below home arrest as they tried to stop those in the country who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

The 33-year-old was then ordered to spend 21 days in a penal colony.

Nevertheless, the band chief managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a meals courier and leaving her cellphone behind as a decoy.

She was then able to cross into Lithuania after searching for the help of an artist from Iceland, who secured her travel documents.

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Comparing her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina instructed The New York Occasions: "I was completely happy that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I still don't perceive utterly what I've achieved."

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Ms Alyokhina added: "I don't suppose Russia has a proper to exist anymore.

"Even earlier than, there have been questions about how it's united, by what values it is united, and where it's going. But now I don't assume that could be a question anymore."

In 2019, fellow bandmate Nadya Tolokonikova spoke to Sky Information about her time in a prison camp and protests happening in Russia.