Yabloko Removed from Elections — People in Russia Protest

Hundreds of people gathered in Moscow outside the Supreme Court to support Yabloko, which faces removal from the elections due to a lawsuit by Rodina. The plaintiff accused the party of copyright infringement, extremism, and support for LGBT and Nazis without evidence. The court leans toward removal despite the defense's arguments.

In Moscow, hundreds of young people gathered outside the building of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation to support the opposition party Yabloko, which faces removal from the State Duma elections. The reason was a lawsuit by the Rodina party, which was unexpectedly supported by the Prosecutor General's Office and the Central Election Commission. The plaintiff accused Yabloko of copyright infringement for using the phrases 'May there always be sunshine' and 'May there always be peace,' an unlicensed logo with a dove, and borrowing the design from the Soviet poster 'Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge.' Additionally, Rodina called the party's 43-word election program 'extremism' for its call for a ceasefire and accused opponents of supporting 'LGBT' and 'Nazis' without providing evidence. Yabloko's defense dismantled each point, and the heir of the song's author officially allowed the use of the lines. Despite this, the court leans toward removing the party. Outside, protesters chanted the party's name and anti-war slogans, and performed the song 'Golden Sunbeam.' Police and riot police cordoned off the area, conducted targeted detentions of activists with leaflets, and issued fines.

Yabloko Removed from Elections — People in Russia Protest