Terrorist threat against Madonna gig following Pussy Riot support
US officials issue warning to St. Petersburg ticket holders
The US embassy in Russia has received information of a terrorist threat to Madonna's concert in St. Petersburg tonight (August 9).
An official statement reads: "US citizens are reminded to remain vigilant regarding their personal security, and to be aware of their surroundings at all times, especially in crowded areas."
It is unclear whether there has been a specific threat to Madonna herself but the situation is thought to relate to the singer's vocal support for jailed Russian punk band Pussy Riot.
The feminist group, currently facing up to seven years in jail for 'hooliganism motivated by religious hatred or hostility', have attracted support from a variety of music stars including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jarvis Cocker and Sting.
Madonna was initially muted in her support, saying simply that she was "sorry" to hear of their plight but has become increasingly vocal in recent days.
The Express Yourself singer stripped to reveal the band's name on her back during a concert in Moscow on Tuesday night, telling the crowd "Tonight and every night, I like to live", adding later that she was praying for the women's freedom.
Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Mariya Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were taken into custody in February after singing an anti-Putin protest song in a Moscow church.
Watch footage of Madonna expressing her support in Moscow below:
Just remember that the Western media have been filming and showing this disturbance in Russia, which is a golden oppotunity for Madonna to adopt yet another cause and appear in the world press saying how shocking it all is and I am protesting during my tour - venues are- in Russia.
Madonna is a media vampire and will hook onto anything that gets her publicity, it's what she has done all through her career, which really should have ended about 10 years ago!
She should also lay off the steroids!
See Madonna is behaving normally, using a situation in a foreign country to give her more publicity, surprised that the Russians don't arrest her for intent to incite public violence,
Hopefull one of these days the authorities are going to take action against this woman, banned in Indonesia, surprised she was not arrested in Turkey for nudity. She has neither shame nor honesty, she is not interested in the social situations, just what opportunity it offers her to get more media exposure.
James HurleyThoughts, observations, and the occasional rant...Latest music news, reviews, gossip and releases with MSN's Music editor James.
