The three members of the band Pussy Riot, aged between 22 and 29, are to remain in pre-trial detention until January 12, the court said, following a recommendation from the prosecution. A date for the beginning of the trial is to be announced on Monday.

Nadeshda Tolokonnikova, Maria Alyokhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich were arrested after the five-member band in February occupied one of the pulpits at the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Moscow's main Orthodox church and sang: "Holy Mother, free Russia from Putin."

All three were charged with hooliganism and could face up to seven years in jail. The women, two of whom have small children, have been in pre-trial detention since March.

Mark Feigin, a lawyer for the band said that they would appeal, saying that the court had simply ignored the defence's arguments.

As is normal in Russia, the trio sat inside a metal cage during the hearing, which took place behind closed doors. A request by the defence to have Putin appear as a witness was rejected.

Outside the court the band's supporters gathered to protest what they have criticized as a show trial.