Press Release, January 31, 2014

The Bureau of the Russian United Democratic Party BLOKO fully supports the position of the YABLOKO faction in the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg which solidary voted against sending a letter from the Legislative Assembly to the Public Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation about possible closure of the Dozhd independent television channel.

The poll on the siege of Leningrad organized at the channel’s website was, in our opinion, indelicate and inappropriate. The answer was given seventy years ago by the residents of Leningrad – who did not surrender, did not give up relatives and friends and maintained humanity in inhuman times. But faux pas may entail only moral and ethical, but not legal or administrative assessment. And this assessment can not form the basis for repressive measures, restriction on the freedom of expression and political pressure on the media.

We believe that consistent and comprehensive restrictions on the freedom of speech taking place in our country since 1996 are among the main factors lying behind the emergence and existence of Russia ‘s authoritarian political regime.

The Russian political regime has completely put under control virtually all politically significant media (often through business structures depending on the regime) and is now seeking to suppress the few media representing the point of view of the society that does no coincide with the “general line”, discuss “forbidden” topics and are not afraid to speak about abuse and corruption on the top “levels” of the government.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO has always fought and will fight for the freedom of speech in Russia and intends to defend this basic right of citizens against any encroachments.

We are expressing our resolute protest against the persecution of the dissenting Russian media.

Sergei Mitrokhin,

YABLOKO Chair