Yabloko Barred from September Election

Russia's Supreme Court has barred the opposition party Yabloko from the September State Duma elections. The lawsuit was filed by the nationalist party Rodina, which accused Yabloko of, among other things, copyright infringement, foreign funding and extremism. It also cited Yabloko's calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine and its opposition to the persecution of LGBT people as problematic, according to the Meduza news site.

Hundreds of the party's supporters gathered outside the courthouse in Moscow during the all-day hearing. According to Yabloko, at least 500 people attended, a large portion of whom were young people and teenagers. For many, it was their first time participating in such a protest.

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov argued that the Central Election Commission had found no violations during the party's registration and that the ministry of justice had no objections to its reports. He described Rodina's accusations as fabricated.

After the decision was announced, the crowd began chanting "Shame!", prompting security forces to threaten intervention and call on people to disperse. Rybakov calmed his supporters and announced that the party had five days to file an appeal. He also called on them to continue their efforts to end the war and restore peace.

(mja)