Russia court bars only anti-war party from elections

A Moscow court has ruled that Russia's sole liberal, anti-war party, Yabloko, cannot contest the upcoming parliamentary elections. The decision effectively sidelines a significant opposition voice in a political landscape increasingly dominated by the Kremlin.

“

Shame! Shame!

The lawsuit, brought by the pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina, accused Yabloko of publicly supporting an extremist organization by publishing material related to the "international LGBT movement." Russia's Supreme Court designated this movement as extremist in 2023. Rodina also cited a senior party member quoting a Soviet-era song in an interview as copyright infringement.

Further complicating Yabloko's electoral prospects, Russia's financial monitoring service claimed the party received foreign funding. This comes despite the Kremlin-controlled Central Electoral Commission having approved Yabloko's candidate list earlier. Several party members had already faced disqualification, including one sentenced to seven years for social media posts about civilian casualties in Ukraine.

“

For peace and freedom! For a life without fear!

Supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting and singing in a rare public display of dissent. Yabloko campaigned under the slogan "For peace and freedom! For a life without fear!" advocating for a ceasefire and diplomacy. The party, which has not won Duma seats since 2003, has been a consistent anti-war voice, opposing Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“

ceasefire, diplomacy, and peace