Several dozen activists gathered late on Saturday near the Russian embassy in Mexico in support of the female Pussy Riot punk group members held in detention in Moscow.

Some 70 people, mostly activists of informal youth groups, took part in the action, urging the Russian authorities to recognize the freedom of speech and thought and the freedom of self-expression.

The demonstrators occupied a part of the street adjacent to the Russian embassy where traffic was partially limited. The action had been authorized by the local authorities and ended peacefully, without any detentions, the local police said.

Five masked members of Pussy Riot performed a protest song entitled “Holy Sh*t” at the altar of the Christ the Savior Cathedral in downtown Moscow on February 21. The lyrics included lines such as “Holy Mother, Blessed Virgin, chase Putin out!”

Pussy Riot said the performance was a response to Orthodox Church head Patriarch Kirill’s backing of President-elect Vladimir Putin in the run-up to his landslide March 4 election victory. The patriarch called the 12 years of Putin's rule a "miracle of God" in a televised meeting.

Putin’s press secretary said the president-elect reacted “negatively” when told of Pussy Riot’s protest.

An opinion poll released on Monday by the VTsIOM state pollster indicated that a mere 10 percent of Russians want to see the suspects remain behind bars. Just over half of the respondents favored community work or a fine.