Russian Supreme Court upholds election ban on anti-war party Yabloko

Russia's Supreme Court has upheld a ban barring the liberal opposition party Yabloko from taking part in the upcoming September parliamentary elections, eliminating the country's sole registered anti-war faction from the ballot.

The decision followed a legal challenge brought by the pro-Kremlin nationalist party Rodina, which raised allegations involving campaign infractions, copyright violations, extremism, and Western ties. Yabloko, which has consistently advocated for an immediate ceasefire and diplomatic negotiations regarding the conflict in Ukraine, condemned the disqualification and announced plans to challenge the ruling.

Following the court's announcement, demonstrators gathered outside the courthouse in Moscow to protest the ruling, which leaves voters opposed to the war without an official electoral option in the State Duma race.

Sources: Canarias7, France24, La Vanguardia, NEXTA, Tagesschau.