Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister calls Madonna a ‘whore’

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin called pop star Madonna a “whore” after the singer urged authorities to free Pussy Riot musicians facing up to seven years in prison over a February performance at a Moscow cathedral criticizing officials.

“Every former tart who has aged wants to give lectures about morals, especially during tours and gigs abroad,” Rogozin wrote on his Twitter microblog late Wednesday, using an expletive Russian word for “tart.” He was apparently referring to Madonna’s roles in movies involving sex episodes.

At a concert Tuesday at Moscow’s Olimpiisky stadium, Madonna said the three young women standing trial on charges of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred for a song denouncing President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill “have done something courageous” and “have paid the price for their act.”