Russian opposition party leader is cited for ‘petty hooliganism’ after writing pro-peace, pro-ceasefire statements on his election ballot
Yabloko Party leader Nikolai Rybakov has been cited for petty hooliganism, an administrative offense under Part 1 of Article 20.1 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses, the party’s press office said.
The stated reason was “voting against all parties at a polling station in St. Petersburg.”
The press office gave no details, but Rybakov had made a point of spoiling his ballot when he voted on September 20. He checked the boxes for every candidate and wrote messages including “Yabloko: For peace” and “Yabloko: For a ceasefire agreement.”
Yabloko — the only party to use antiwar slogans in its campaign — was removed from the ballot over allegations of copyright infringement and illegal campaigning. The party then urged supporters to go to polling stations and spoil their ballots in protest.
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