Russian court bars anti-war Yabloko from election
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- Yabloko was barred by a Moscow court from contesting the parliamentary elections, marking the exclusion of Russia's only registered party opposing the war in Ukraine.
- Rodina, a pro-Kremlin nationalist party, filed the lawsuit that led to Yabloko's disqualification, accusing it of supporting an extremist organization by publishing material in favor of the 'international LGBT movement'.
- Russia's financial monitoring service claimed at the hearing that Yabloko received foreign funding through third parties, including from Germany and the US, contributing to the case for its removal.
- Hundreds of young supporters gathered outside the Moscow courthouse during the eight-hour hearing, chanting 'Russia' and 'Yabloko' and carrying apples as symbols of solidarity.
- Central Electoral Commission had initially approved Yabloko's candidate list in late July, but several key members, including deputy leader Maxim Kruglov, were already barred from running due to prior convictions.
- Yabloko campaigned on the slogan 'For peace and freedom! For a life without fear!', advocating for a ceasefire, diplomacy, and an end to political repression in Russia.
Why it matters: With Yabloko removed, no party on the ballot openly opposes Russia's war in Ukraine, reducing electoral choice and likely suppressing turnout among war-weary citizens. The move consolidates Kremlin control ahead of elections, using legal and administrative tools to eliminate even symbolic dissent, despite signs of rising public discontent over inflation, drone strikes, and prolonged conflict.
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