Politics · Russia · 2 days ago
St. Petersburg Court Fines Yabloko Leader for Anti-War Ballot Slogans
A court in St. Petersburg fined Nikolai Rybakov, leader of the Yabloko party, 1,000 rubles for writing slogans on his ballot during Russia’s September State Duma election.
The slogans called for peace, freedom, a life without fear and a ceasefire agreement.
Rybakov said spoiling a ballot was a lawful way to express his political views, but the court found him guilty of disorderly conduct.
Yabloko was the only registered party campaigning for peace in the election.
The party and its candidates have faced restrictions, including candidates being barred or disqualified, while several prominent members have received prison sentences.
The ruling adds to pressure on a party whose candidates had limited access to the election, and no further court action was described.
A St. Petersburg court fined Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov 1,000 rubles for writing anti-war slogans on his ballots.
The Vyborgsky District Court found him guilty of disorderly conduct.
Rybakov and his lawyers argued that invalidating a ballot was a lawful form of political expression.
He wrote four slogans on his ballots while voting on Sept. 20.
The ruling came amid pressure on Yabloko and restrictions on its candidates in the 2026 State Duma elections.
- Who
- Nikolai Rybakov, chairman of the Yabloko party.
- What
- He was fined 1,000 rubles for writing anti-war slogans on his ballots.
- When
- The court issued its ruling on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. Rybakov wrote the slogans while voting on Sept. 20.
- Where
- St. Petersburg, Russia.
- Why
- The court found him guilty of disorderly conduct after police accused him of disrespect and breaking public order.
Police and the court
Rybakov and his defense
Conduct on the ballot
Police and the court
Police accused Rybakov of showing disrespect and breaking public order; the court found him guilty of disorderly conduct.
Rybakov and his defense
Rybakov and his lawyers argued that spoiling a ballot was a lawful form of political expression.
I expressed my civic stance that I couldn’t vote because there was no one to vote for… Over 900,000 voters did the exact same thing by invalidating their ballots
Rybakov wrote four slogans on his ballots while voting.
The Vyborgsky District Court fined Rybakov 1,000 rubles.
- Fine
- 1,000 rubles ($11.80)
- Court
- Vyborgsky District Court
- Ballot slogans
- For Peace; For Freedom; For a Life Without Fear; For a Ceasefire Agreement
- Voting date
- Sept. 20
- Party
- Yabloko was the only registered party campaigning for peace in the 2026 State Duma elections
Sources
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