Maria Alyokhina, Pussy Riot band member, released from prison

December 23, 2013 -- Updated 0605 GMT (1405 HKT)

(CNN) -- Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina, who was serving a two-year jail term for her part in a performance critical of then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has been released from prison.

Alyokhina's release was confirmed by the husband of fellow band member, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova.

Tolokonnikova, who is also imprisoned, will be released later Monday, her husband said.

The pair's release was approved last week when Russian lawmakers backed a sweeping amnesty law.

Russia said the amnesty marked the anniversary of the adoption of Russia's post-Communist constitution in 1993. However, some suggested the move was related to the upcoming Olympics.

Russia's record on human rights is in the spotlight as the country prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi in February.

Pussy Riot's performance was held at a Russian Orthodox cathedral in 2012, and the musicians were found guilty of hooliganism.

The jailed women have young children and therefore qualified for the amnesty, the RIA Novosti news agency said.

The amnesty law would also free some arrested Greenpeace activists.