Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Anti-War Party Yabloko

The ruling concludes a volatile legal battle that began when the Central Election Commission initially registered the party, only for the Supreme Court to intervene on August 10 following claims of foreign funding and extremism—charges Yabloko leaders dismissed as absurd. Party co-founder Grigory Yavlinsky characterized the decision as a fundamental rejection of competitive politics, signaling a deepening crisis within the Russian state. Outside the courtroom, authorities detained at least 35 supporters and candidates, including actor Viktor Balabanov, while restricting public access to the proceedings.

Simultaneous to the election ban, the Pskov City Court delivered an 11-year sentence to Lev Shlosberg, a prominent deputy chairman of the party. Convicted under laws criminalizing criticism of the military, Shlosberg used his final statement to denounce the human cost of the invasion, asserting that the nation’s cemeteries are expanding faster than its schools. This legal offensive against Yabloko—which has not held seats in the State Duma since 2003—reflects an intensifying crackdown on any political entity advocating for peace. With other senior figures like Maksim Kruglov already serving lengthy prison terms, the party’s attempts to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court presidium face slim prospects of success.