Russia's anti-war Yabloko party loses appeal against removal from elections

Russia's Supreme Court has upheld a decision to remove the anti-war Yabloko party from the elections to the State Duma , while at least 60 people were detained outside the court.

Source: BBC News Russian; Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Russian Service

Details: The ruling was issued on 17 August.

The court rejected all motions by Yabloko's lawyers to admit additional materials and dismissed the party's appeal.

Representatives of the Prosecutor General's Office and the Central Election Commission had called for the party to be removed from the election. The commission had registered Yabloko's candidate list less than three weeks earlier.

Reports in the media said at least 60 people had been detained outside the court.

Members of Yabloko – Russia's only party to oppose the war against Ukraine – support a ceasefire, diplomacy and peace, and oppose nuclear war and political repression.

Background:

• On 10 August, Yabloko was barred from fielding candidates for elections to the State Duma. Russia's Supreme Court issued the ruling after hearing a lawsuit brought by the nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko members of extremism and breach of copyright.
• It is the first time in modern Russian history that a party that was registered to take part in an election has been removed from the ballot.
• On 11 August, a Russian court sentenced Lev Shlosberg, deputy leader of the anti-war Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in prison after finding him guilty of "discrediting the armed forces" and spreading "fake war news".

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