Russia's Supreme Court upholds ban on antiwar Yabloko party, over 80 young supporters detained

Russia's Supreme Court on August 17 upheld its earlier ruling barring the liberal antiwar party Yabloko from this year's State Duma elections. As on August 10, when the court first heard the case at its building on Povarskaya Street, large numbers of young Yabloko supporters gathered outside for the appeal ruling. Police detained more than 80 people; those 18 or older were released within a couple of hours, while minors had to wait for adult relatives to collect them.

What happened

Unlike August 10, when police appeared unprepared for the size of the crowd, officers arrived on August 17 with several police vans and seemed ready to detain people from the start. Witnesses said police announced in advance that no one without a pre-arranged pass would be allowed into the hearing, with only journalists able to secure passes ahead of time.

Some young people were detained simply for refusing to state their age or for asking officers to identify themselves. Others were caught behind the courthouse after trying to walk around a blocked entrance, then taken to police stations where they waited hours to have their documents checked and to be allowed to call their parents.

Accounts from supporters

Speaking to the journalist cooperative Bereg, young Yabloko supporters said they were drawn to the party's campaign slogan, "For Peace," because they want the war to end and oppose the crackdown on free speech in Russia. Several said relatives being sent to fight had pushed them toward political engagement, and some learned about Yabloko through social media. A few said they still don't know who they'll vote for but intend to vote regardless, while others said the day's events made them consider joining the party.