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

Political activist and member of the Russian band Pussy Riot has reportedly fled the country disguised as a meals 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.

Despite being sentenced to two years in prison for their activism, the group continued to talk out in opposition to the Kremlin leader, with Ms Alyokhina remaining decided to combat Mr Putin's system.

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

In April, Russian authorities placed her below house arrest as they tried to cease these in the nation who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

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

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

She was then in a position to cross into Lithuania after seeking 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 told The New York Times: "I used to be happy that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I nonetheless don't perceive fully what I've done."

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

"Even earlier than, there have been questions on how it's united, by what values it's united, and where it's going. But now I do not suppose that is a question anymore."

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