Statement by the Yabloko Chairman, 23.05.2025

Photo: Yan Rachinsky /Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

The Yabloko party considers the inclusion of Yan Rachinsky, Co-Chairman of the Memorial human rights society and Russian human rights defender, in the so-called “foreign agents” register to be an act of political repression aimed at destroying historical memory in Russia.

Yan Rachinsky is a man with an impeccable reputation and an unbending personal civic position. It was Rachinsky’s civic position, the independent voice of an honest person, that caused such a reaction from the authorities.

The inclusion of the Co-Chairman of Memorial in the repressive register is on par with the glorification of Stalin and the installation of monuments to him. The memory of the victims of political repression, the memory of reprisals, torture and executions has been declared by the authorities to be “foreign influence”.

Protection of the rights and freedoms of citizens, and protection of political prisoners are undesirable for the authorities. In essence, this is a visible introduction of Stalinist practices into modern state policies.

The Yabloko Party expresses solidarity with Yan Rachinsky and supports his struggle for freedom and human rights in our country.

The Yabloko Party demands the complete abolition of the legislation on “foreign agents” as unlawful and unconstitutional.

Nikolai Rybakov,

Yabloko Chairman