The Supreme Court canceled the registration of the Yabloko party's federal candidate slate following allegations of foreign funding.
Key facts
- •The Supreme Court ruling removes Yabloko from the nationwide party-list ballot for next month's elections.
- •The lawsuit was filed by the nationalist Rodina party, citing foreign funding, copyright infringement, and extremism.
- •Yabloko chairman Nikolai Rybakov stated the party will appeal the ruling within the five-day legal window.
- •Police warned protesters outside the court that they could be sent to military enlistment offices if they did not disperse.
- •The Central Election Commission had previously approved over 400 Yabloko candidates for the September elections last month.
Russia’s Supreme Court ruled on Monday to cancel the registration of the liberal Yabloko party’s federal candidate slate for the upcoming State Duma elections. The court granted a lawsuit brought by the nationalist Rodina party, which accused Yabloko of promoting extremism, violating copyright law, and receiving foreign funding.
Allegations of Foreign Funding
Central Election Commission officials presented evidence to the court, citing data from the financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring, which allegedly showed foreign financial transfers to several Yabloko candidates in 2025. Because the evidence was classified, the court required Yabloko’s legal team to sign non-disclosure agreements before reviewing the documents. Yabloko chairman Nikolai Rybakov rejected the allegations, stating that the party is funded by and accountable to Russian citizens. State prosecutors expressed their support for the lawsuit during the hearing.
Courtroom and Public Response
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Moscow on Monday to protest the proceedings. Following the ruling, security forces moved to disperse the crowd, with police officers warning protesters that they could face conscription if they did not leave the area. Rybakov announced that the party intends to appeal the decision within the five-day deadline. Yabloko, recognized as Russia’s oldest liberal party, remains the only registered political organization campaigning on a pro-peace platform.
Timeline
- Last monthThe Central Election Commission approved over 400 Yabloko candidates for the parliamentary elections.
- Monday morningHundreds of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Moscow.
- MondayThe Supreme Court ruled to cancel Yabloko's federal candidate slate registration.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by The Moscow Times.
