Two members of the Russian punk group 'Pussy Riot' have been released after being detained by police near the Sochi Winter Olympics.

No charges were filed against Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alekhina.

Seven other people who were detained with them, believed to include a number of journalists, have also been released.

Police say they were questioned in connection with an alleged theft at the hotel where they were staying.

Amnesty International had been calling for the release of the nine people.

Tolokonnikova and Alekhina were released from prison colonies late last year, amid international outrage over their imprisonment for anti-Putin demonstrations.