Moscow, Aug 16:After Madonna, it is ex-Beatle Paul McCartney who came in  support of the punk band Pussy Riot--who are facing trail for bursting into Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in balaclavas and short skirts and taunting the Kremlin from altars--requesting clemency.

In an open letter released to media, McCartney said, "I am writing to show support for you in this difficult times."

In the letter addressed to all the three women, Nadya, katya and Masha, he further writes, "I would like you to know that I very much hope Russian authorities would support the principle of free speech for all their citizen and not feel that they have to punish you for your protest."

These three women, aged 22, 30 and 24 respectively, face sentence of up to three year. The court ruling on Friday will be watched across the world to see the status of human rights under Vladimir Putin.

All three Pussy Riot women are in jail since February, soon after their act in the cathedral, that enraged relatively conservative Russia.

In an ending note McCartney wrote, "I hope you can stay strong and believe that I and many other like me will do everything in our power to support you," and wished them best of luck.

Earlier last week, Madonna during the Moscow concert donned similar balaclava and demanded they be freed.