Russia: Court excludes opposition party Yabloko from elections

Russia's Supreme Court has disqualified the liberal opposition party Yabloko from participating in the upcoming September parliamentary elections. The ruling came after the Kremlin-aligned nationalist party Rodina filed a complaint, accusing Yabloko of numerous violations of Russian laws during its registration process.

Presiding Judge Vyacheslav Kirillov accepted Rodina's claim, which was supported by the prosecution, finding their objections to Yabloko's election oversight justified. Kirillov, who has faced criticism for acting as a Kremlin proxy, explicitly allowed for an appeal of the verdict.

Hundreds of Yabloko supporters gathered outside the court, chanting the party's name. Yabloko, which campaigns on a platform of "Peace and Freedom" and calls for an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, has vowed to challenge the court's decision. Party leader Nikolai Rybakov argued that Yabloko had committed no legal infractions and that political competition is essential for elections.

Rodina's accusations against Yabloko included alleged copyright infringements in campaign materials, improper use of funds for online advertising, and the receipt of approximately 16,900 rubles (around 178 euros) in campaign financing from the United States and Germany. Yabloko's legal team contested these points, with Rybakov describing the case as "historic" given that a previously registered party had never been excluded from elections.