Press Release, 6.10.2023

Photo: Oksana Sergeyeva / Photo by the Novgorod Yabloko

The court hearing on the administrative case against Oksana Sergeyeva, a municipal deputy and candidate from Yabloko in the elections to the Novgorod City Duma, was held on 5 October. A few days ago, the same judge ruled out that another Yabloko candidate, surgeon Valery Kochnev, was guilty of “demonstrating Nazi symbols”. Both the court decisions will be appealed.

It should be noted that a few days before the voting in the elections of deputies of the Novgorod City Duma, a protocol was drawn up against Oksana Sergeyeva under Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code (“demonstration of Nazi or extremist symbols”). Photos with a white-blue-white flag were posted on her VKontakte page.

Next year, Sergeyeva’s powers as a deputy of the Council of the Yermolinsky rural settlement will expire. If appealling the court decision is unsuccessful, the deputy from Yabloko will not be able to be run in the elections and be elected, since the charge under Article 20.3 of the Administrative Code, in addition to a fine of 2,000 roubles, will deprive Oksana Sergeyeva of her right to be elected rights for a year.

On 3 October, same judge ruled out that another Yabloko candidate at the Novgorod City Duma elections, surgeon Valery Kochnev, was guilty of “demonstrating Nazi symbols”. Valery Kochnev, was fined 2,000 roubles.

The team of the Novgorod branch of Yabloko will appeal both the decisions of the court.