Press Release, 17.03.2024

Photo: Ruslan Zinatullin / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Ruslan Zinatullin, Chairman of the Tatarstan Yabloko and a member of the Federal Bureau of the party, as well as party supporters Zulfiya Sitdikova and Vera Otreshko were detained on leaving their homes in Kazan and taken to the police station.

Zulfiya Sitdikova is accused of participation in an unpermitted action at a polling station, although the activist did not take part in the voting and was not at the polling station. It should be noted that on 13 March, police tried to detain her for a picket that did not take place, and on 14 March, the public prosecutor’s office, together with the Centre for Combatting Extremism, issued her a warning against participating in an uncoordinated protest action.

On 16 March, traffic police officers searched the car of the Chairman of the Tatarstan Yabloko, Ruslan Zinatullin, and tested him with a breathalyzer. Zinatullin’s car was stopped in a busy street in a daytime, allegedly to check documents. Having found no violations, the traffic police released Zinatullin. Previously, he was given a warning against participating in an unpermitted protest action.

The Tatarstan Yabloko considers pressure on party representatives as provocations and attempts to intimidate them during the election period.

It is yet unknown what Ruslan Zinatullin and Vera Otreshko are charged with.

UPDATE as of 17:40. Ruslan Zinatullin, Zulfiya Sitdikova and Vera Otreshko were released from police stations without protocols of violations drawn up against them.