Russian Supreme Court Bars Yabloko Party From State Duma Elections

The Russian Supreme Court recently ruled that the liberal Yabloko party is ineligible to participate in the upcoming State Duma elections. The court's decision stems from allegations of copyright violations related to campaign materials, which included song lyrics, film footage, photographs, and even images generated by AI. The court's primary concern was the unauthorized use of protected intellectual property, including materials linked to the party's website.

Yabloko's chairman, Nikolai Rybakov, stated that the party would appeal the ruling within five days and would do everything possible to participate in the election. Despite the setback, Rybakov highlighted the party's stance on peace and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, expressing his support for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court in Moscow, chanting "Shame!" as law enforcement attempted to disperse the crowd.

According to the Central Election Commission, the party allegedly received funding from abroad, a claim Yabloko denies, stating that it receives financial support from Russian citizens and answers to Russian citizens and the Central Election Commission. The case against Yabloko gained attention after the Central Election Commission previously permitted more than 400 party candidates to run in the parliamentary elections.

The ruling effectively removes Yabloko, Russia's oldest liberal party and the only registered party campaigning on a pro-peace platform, from the nationwide ballot.