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

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

Regardless of being sentenced to two years in jail for their activism, the group continued to talk out in opposition to the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining decided to fight Mr Putin's system.

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After being released from prison, she continued her activism and arrange a information outlet focused on crime and punishment in Russia, referred to as Mediazona, with one other member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities placed her below house arrest as they tried to stop these within the country 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 capable of cross into Lithuania after searching for the help of an artist from Iceland, who secured her journey documents.

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Comparing her story to a "spy novel", Ms Alyokhina informed The New York Times: "I was comfortable that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I still do not understand utterly what I've carried out."

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Ms Alyokhina added: "I do not assume Russia has a proper to exist anymore.

"Even earlier than, there have been questions on how it's united, by what values it is united, and where it is going. However now I do not assume that could be a query anymore."

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