Press Release, 10.09.2023

Photo: Viktor Shalyakin (centre), Anna Cherepanova and Ksenia Cherepanova at the police station / Photo from social media

On the night of September 9 – 10, the Novgorod police drew up protocols of violation under Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (“disobedience to the police”) in relation to the current deputy of the Novgorod City Duma Anna Cherepanova, as well as Ksenia Cherepanova and Viktor Shalyakin. All the three Yabloko members are registered candidates for deputies to the City Duma of Novgorod in the current elections. At night, the politicians were released from the police station. However, they are waiting for a hearing at the Novgorod District Court. Punishment under Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides for administrative arrest for up to 15 days. To arrest candidates to the City Duma, the court needs the approval of the city public prosecutor.

Last night, Anna Cherepanova, Ksenia Cherepanova and Viktor Shalyakin arrived at one of the polling stations in Novgorod to meet with an observer. For an unknown reason, their car was blocked by three police cars at once. Candidates for deputies showed their documents to the police from the car window, but did not leave the car. The police interpreted this as a “disobedience” to its legal demands. The three Yabloko candidates were taken to the police station.

Earlier, representatives of Yabloko demanded that the voting results at several polling stations in Novgorod be canceled due to violations of the rules for storing ballots at night.