“We are deeply concerned that Yabloko – one of Russia’s oldest political parties – has been banned from participating in the September parliamentary elections,” said the UN Human Rights Office statement.
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“We urge the authorities to lift this ban,” the office added.
Russia’s Supreme Court on Monday banned the Yabloko party from participating in the upcoming parliamentary elections, granting a lawsuit filed by a pro-Kremlin nationalist party.
As Ukraine’s retaliatory strikes on oil refineries and e-commerce warehouses increasingly disrupt ordinary Russian life, Yabloko hoped to gain support for its peace program, especially from young voters.
Additionally, it sought to capitalize on widespread outrage over government-imposed internet restrictions, allegedly aimed at countering Ukrainian drone attacks.
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Yabloko members have faced increasing government attention in recent years due to their opposition to military actions.
Party leader Nikolai Rybakov told AFP news agency that about 40 party activists face criminal prosecution.
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