At least 35 people have been detained outside the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in Moscow, where the «Yabloko» party’s appeal to overturn the cancellation of its federal list for the State Duma elections is being heard on 17 August. Russian media reported that security forces had cordoned off the building even before the hearing began. There has been no official explanation as to why people were taken away in police vans.
Briefly about the main points
- The court is considering a complaint by the Yabloko party regarding its exclusion from the Duma elections.
- Security forces and police vans were stationed outside the building in advance.
- Russian media have reported that at least 35 people have been detained.
- «Yabluko» stated that it had not called for a street protest.
- The appeal ruling will determine whether the party takes part in the September vote.
The decision to revoke the list has not yet come into force
On 10 August, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation upheld the claim brought by the pro-war party «Rodina» and annulled the registration of the «Yabloko» federal list. «Apple» appealed against this decision, whilst «Rodina» lodged a separate appeal, demanding that all the grounds it had put forward for the exclusion of competitors be taken into account.
Both appeals are being heard at the same hearing. Until the appeal proceedings are concluded, the first-instance ruling has not formally come into force. If it is upheld, the party will not be able to take part in the State Duma elections scheduled for 18–20 September.
The Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation registered the «Yabloko» federal list on 29 July; it comprises 269 candidates. Cancellation of registration This list directly concerns the contest for 225 of the 450 parliamentary seats, which are allocated on the basis of party lists.
Grounds for the claim and Yabluko’s position«
Among the allegations against the party were alleged foreign funding and breaches of the rules governing the use of intellectual property in campaign material. In particular, the authorities classified as violations the use of excerpts from a song, the emblems of other parties, images of Russian politicians and stills from the film *War and Peace*.
The «Yabloko» party has described the arguments as unfounded. The party believes that its exclusion is linked to its anti-war programme, which calls for a ceasefire and negotiations. It stood in the election under the slogan «For Peace and Freedom».
«Yabloko» has been standing in Duma elections since 1993.
People came to the court to show their support for the party
Supporters of Yabloko and journalists gathered outside the courthouse. Initial reports mentioned several people who had been detained, after which the Russian media reported on a large-scale operation by the security forces.
The party stated that it had not called on its supporters to stage a street protest. According to the party, those present had gathered of their own accord to support the political party during the appeal.
The future of the federal list depends on the decision of the Appeals Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation.
