A Moscow court has ruled that Yabloko, the only registered party that opposes Russia’s war in Ukraine, will not be allowed to take part in next month’s parliamentary elections. The lawsuit was brought by Rodina, a pro-Kremlin nationalist party.
Rodina accused Yabloko of publicly supporting an extremist organization by publishing material on its website that backed the “international LGBT movement,” which Russia’s Supreme Court had classified as extremist in 2023. Rodina also alleged copyright infringement after a senior party member quoted the lyrics of a Soviet song in an interview.
At the hearing, Russia’s financial watchdog also claimed that Yabloko had received money from abroad, including from Germany and the United States, through third parties.
Hundreds of people, mostly very young, had gathered outside the Moscow courthouse on Monday to support Yabloko, singing songs and waving flags. As news of the ruling spread, many chanted “Shame! Shame!”
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
