Pussy Riot band members Yekaterina Samutsevich, Maria Alyokhina and Nadezhda Tolokonnikova sit in a glass-walled cage during a court hearing in Moscow on Friday August 17. 
A man walks past pro-Pussy Riot graffiti in Moscow. Band members were charged after screaming "Mother Mary please drive Putin away" during a concert inside Christ Savior Cathedral, in February. 
Campaigners wear the band's trademark colorful balaclavas in a demonstration outside the Church of Christ the Savior in Moscow. 
Supporters sit locked in a mock defendants cage outside a Moscow court. The band members have been charged with hooliganism aimed at "inciting religious hatred." 
Demonstrators wear Pussy Riot-style masks outside a Moscow court. Singer Madonna also donned one of the masks during a recent gig in the city, telling the audience: "Everyone has the right to free speech, everywhere in the world. Maria, Katya, Nadia, I pray for you." - NEW: The case against the three is proved by witnesses and the facts, judge says
- NEW: They were arrested after they sang a song critical of Vladimir Putin in a protest act
- "Mother Mary, please drive Putin away," the band screamed inside Christ Savior Cathedral
- The action outraged many of Russia's faithful, but the trial has sparked free-speech concerns
Seen any protests? Share your pictures here.
Moscow (CNN) -- A judge found three members of the Russian female punk rock band Pussy Riot guilty of hooliganism Friday for performing a song critical of President Vladimir Putin.
Judge Marina Sirovaya said the charges against the three women -- Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich -- were proved by witnesses and the facts.
The Pussy Riot members were charged after screaming "Mother Mary, please drive Putin away" in a protest act inside Christ Savior Cathedral, one of Moscow's grandest houses of worship.
Sirovaya is expected to hand down the sentence against the women once the facts of the case have been read out, Russia's state-run RIA Novosti news agency said.
Judge to deliver 'Pussy Riot' verdict 
Star support for Russian punk band 
Husband of jailed Pussy Riot band member The defendants ignored requests to stop their unscheduled protest performance, the court heard.
They were accused of offending those present, through their actions and their clothing, and showing a lack of respect for the rules of the Orthodox Church.
While their action outraged many of Russia's faithful, their trial prompted international concern about freedom of speech in Russia.
Moscow district court heard that the three worked together to carry out their "criminal act which violated public order" -- in an action that "went against tradition and is a great insult to the church and people."
The three wore revealing neon clothing and covered their faces with balaclava-style masks in a style "inappropriate" for a church before making use of a microphone and guitar, the court was told.
None of the three women is older than 30, and two of them have young children. They have been in custody since their arrest shortly after the unexpected performance.
Pop star Madonna last week performed Pussy Riot-style in a face mask and with the group's name on her back during a packed Moscow gig.
"Everyone has the right to free speech, everywhere in the world. Maria, Katya, Nadia, I pray for you," Madonna said at Tuesday's concert, according to RIA Novosti. "They did something brave with their action. And I am praying for their freedom."
Rallies have been organized in their support outside Russian embassies around the world, including London and Washington.
Putin criticized the women's action earlier this month, but said they should not be judged "too harshly," RIA Novosti said. He added that he hoped the court makes "the right decision."
Pussy Riot specializes in sudden, often illegal public performances, including one in Moscow's Red Square.
The punk prayer was inspired by the women's anger about the relationship between the Russian government and the Orthodox Church, according to the band's manager, who is married to one of the women.
The Orthodox leader Patriarch Kyril has been widely reported as saying Putin's years in power have been a miracle from God.
The charge of hooliganism aimed at "inciting religious hatred" carries a potential sentence of up to seven years imprisonment.
CNN's Phil Black contributed to this report.
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