Press Release, 12.09.2026

Photo: Yabloko candidates from Sverdlovsk Region detained on 7 September. Top row: Konstantin Kiselyov, Shana Ogney, Vladimir Sobyanin. Bottom row: Alexander Kudelkin, Alexei Kholodarev, Vladimir Sevostyanov

In the Sverdlovsk Region, three Yabloko candidates received administrative arrests under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, and two more were fined. Two of those arrested are candidates for the State Duma.

On 12 September, Vladimir Sevostyanov received 12 days of administrative arrest. He is a sitting deputy of the Sukhoi Log City District Duma, a Yabloko candidate for the State Duma in the Asbestovsky single-mandate Constituency No. 173, and a candidate for the Sverdlovsk Regional Legislative Assembly in single-mandate Constituency No. 2.

On 11 September, Vladimir Sobyanin received 12 days of administrative arrest. He is a Yabloko candidate for the State Duma in the Serovsky single-mandate Constituency No. 175, and for the Sverdlovsk Regional Legislative Assembly in Constituency No. 8.

On 9 September, Alexander Kudelkin, a candidate for the Sverdlovsk Regional Legislative Assembly in single-mandate Constituency No. 6, was arrested for 10 days.

On 10 September, Konstantin Kiselyov — leader of the Yabloko faction in the Yekaterinburg City Duma and the party’s candidate for the State Duma in the Central single-mandate Constituency No. 169 — was fined 2,000 roubles.

Shana Ogney, a candidate for the Sverdlovsk Regional Legislative Assembly in single-mandate Constituency No. 18, was fined the same amount.

All five candidates had been detained by police on 7 September. At that time, violation protocols under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences — for “displaying extremist symbols” — were also issued against Alexei Kholodarev.

Kiselyov and Kholodarev had headed Yabloko’s list for the Sverdlovsk Regional Legislative Assembly election. On 28 August, the regional court had removed the party’s list from the elections following a claim by the LDPR. On 11 September, following an appeal hearing, this ruling came into force.

Being held administratively liable under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences carries a one-year disqualification from standing for election. However, for this to take effect, the court ruling must come into legal force. All the rulings will be appealed, and none of them will have time to come into force before the first polling day, 18 September. The candidates therefore retain their status and continue to take part in the elections.

Yabloko considers the administrative prosecution of its candidates to be politically motivated and linked to their participation in the elections.