SIR - During the World Cup in Russia, only one public demonstration made against President Putin's regime came to media attention. This was when four members of the activist group Pussy Riot briefly disrupted the final match, Croatia V France, by running on to the pitch. They were subsequently jailed for 15 days.

A statement from 'Pussy Riot' said the aims of their protest included making the Russian authorities: Free all political prisoners; Stop illegal arrests at public rallies; Allow political competition in the country; Stop fabricating criminal cases and jailing people on remand for no reason.

Their protest endangered no-one's safety and these four young people - three women and a man - showed great courage in standing up for real democracy and human rights, in a country where these are being steadily eroded.

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose