Particle.news
Download on the App Store
3 ARTICLES
·
last mo.

Russia's Supreme Court Bars Yabloko From Duma Ballot

The decision removes the only registered anti‑war party from the September vote, signaling a broader squeeze on political dissent.

Chairman of Russia's Yabloko political party Nikolai Rybakov speaks with lawyers during a hearing of the Supreme Court held to consider a lawsuit to bar the party from contesting the September parliamentary elections on the basis of alleged violations, including funding from foreign sources and breaches of campaigning rules, in Moscow, Russia, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Yulia Morozova
Chairman of Russia's Yabloko political party Nikolai Rybakov reacts after a hearing of the Supreme Court, which barred the party from contesting September's parliamentary elections over allegations of undeclared funding and breaches of campaigning rules, in Moscow, Russia, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Yulia Morozova
Chairman of Russia's Yabloko political party Nikolai Rybakov waits after a hearing of the Supreme Court, which barred the party from contesting September's parliamentary elections over allegations of undeclared funding and breaches of campaigning rules, in Moscow, Russia, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Yulia Morozova
Image

Overview

  • The Supreme Court, which ruled on Monday, canceled Yabloko's registration for the Sept. 18 State Duma election, citing allegations of undeclared foreign‑linked donations, campaign material on restricted social platforms, and copyright breaches.
  • Yabloko rejected the charges as unfounded, said it will appeal within the statutory window, and leader Nikolai Rybakov pledged to remain in Russia and continue the party's campaign.
  • International bodies publicly condemned the ban, with the UN human rights office calling for the decision to be overturned and the European Commission saying it demonstrated attacks on fundamental freedoms.
  • Yabloko holds only a few regional seats and no deputies in the State Duma, leaving the Kremlin‑aligned United Russia party all but certain to keep its dominance in the 450‑seat lower house.
  • The legal challenge was brought by the pro‑Kremlin Rodina party, protesters rallied in Moscow, and analysts warn the case shows how courts and opaque financial or copyright claims can narrow ballot access and curb organized anti‑war opposition.