Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, one of the members of Pussy Riot, has been hospitalized in her prison colony in Mordovia, for what the Associated Press is calling a "full medical check-up." Tolokonnikova was one of two members of the band sent to prison colonies with reportedly terrible conditions back in October.

Though she had suffered from headaches since last spring, Tolokonnikova's well-being has apparently worsened since being sent to the colony, where she is also reportedly ailing from overwork. According to the Associated Press, a band mate who did end up being released on an appeal Yekaterina Samutsevich told Rain TV about Tolokonnikova's situation: "They don't allow her to have any rest; she works nearly round the clock." Samutsevich added: "She said she feels tired, extremely tired."  Tolokonnikova gave an interview to Novaya Gazeta in which she described her life at the colony and her sewing tasks. She was reportedly hospitalized January 24. 

The story of Pussy Riot, the members of which were convicted of "hooliganism" in August, is a continuing subject of interested for Americans: HBO recently bought the rights to the documentary about their plight, Pussy Riot — A Punk Prayer, which had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. 

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Esther Zuckerman