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 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 towards the Russian president inside Moscow's Christ the Savior Cathedral in 2012.

Despite being sentenced to two years in jail for his or her activism, the group continued to talk out against the Kremlin chief, with Ms Alyokhina remaining decided to combat Mr Putin's system.

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After being launched from prison, she continued her activism and set up a news outlet focused on crime and punishment in Russia, known as Mediazona, with another member of the band.

In April, Russian authorities placed her beneath house arrest as they tried to stop those within the country who opposed their invasion of Ukraine.

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

Nonetheless, the band chief managed to evade the Moscow police by disguising herself as a food courier and leaving her telephone behind as a decoy.

She was then capable of cross into Lithuania after seeking 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 instructed The New York Times: "I was completely happy that I made it, because it was an unpredictable and large kiss-off to the Russian authorities.

"I still don't understand completely what I've executed."

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Ms Alyokhina added: "I don't think 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's going. However now I don't assume that may be a question anymore."

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