Alicia Silverstone may be known best now for her animal rights and environmentalism campaigning, but when she wrote to President Vladimir Putin of Russia to demand that vegan meals be made available for prisoners, including one of the members of the band Pussy Riot, it was a move that few saw coming.

The Clueless actress has pleaded with the Russian President in her formal letter, "respectfully request[ing]" that he "ensure that vegan meals are available to Ms. Alekhina [of Pussy Riot] and all prisoners."

According to the letter, Alicia became concerned of the plight faced by Ms. Alekhina after it was reported that she had collapsed from exhaustion whilst in court, cause by a lack of food.

The letter is not a plea to the President asking for the freedom of the incarcerated female punk band, three of whom are facing up to two years each in jail after being convicted of hooliganism motivated by religious hatred, but merely just a request that all dietary requirements be made available for Russian prisoners, regardless of their crimes. Still, this a matter deemed "urgent" by Ms. Silverstone and is one that she hopes to be resolved quickly.

So far no reports have been made on a reply or reaction to the letter by President Putin or any of the Russian Government.