More than 80 young supporters of Russia’s antiwar Yabloko party were detained outside the Supreme Court as it upheld the party’s removal from the ballot. Five of them describe the day.
On August 17, Russia’s Supreme Court upheld its ruling barring the liberal Yabloko party from this year’s State Duma elections. Just as on August 10, when the Supreme Court heard the suit against Yabloko at its Povarskaya Street building, large numbers of the party’s young supporters turned out for the appeal ruling. Police detained more than 80 people. Those who were 18 or older were released…
On August 17, Russia's Supreme Court ruled to keep the liberal Yabloko party off the ballot for this year's State Duma elections. As on August 10 when the court first heard Yabloko's suit, large numbers of the party's young supporters arrived in support. Police detained over 80 people, releasing those 18 or older quickly, while the rest had to wait for adult relatives.
Independent journalists' cooperative Bereg spoke with several young antiwar Russians who believed they'd be able to vote for the party advocating "For Peace." Some of them were among those detained. One 19-year-old volunteer, who had followed Yabloko for years, described the atmosphere at the Supreme Court as initially subdued but growing as more supporters arrived.
The police presence seemed to increase, with four police vans present compared to just a few on the previous day. The young supporters tried to remain calm, knowing they were there to show unity and opposition to the government's decision.
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