Press Release, 16.10.2026

Photo: Viktor Shalyakin at an action of writing letters to political prisoners / Photo by Novgorod Yabloko

Viktor Shalyakin, head of the Yabloko faction in the Novgorod Regional Duma, has appealed to Sergei Shvetsov, Public Prosecutor of the Novgorod Region, demanding that he review the legality of new restrictions on deputies’ assistants. A resolution adopted by the regional parliament on 8 October bars “foreign agents”, persons affiliated with them and members of their families from working as deputies’ assistants, even on a voluntary basis. Novgorod Yabloko has compared this decision to the practices of Joseph Stalin’s repressions from the 1930s to early 1950s.

The resolution was adopted at the first session of the new convocation of the Novgorod Regional Duma, on the initiative of the parliament’s Chairman, representative of the ruling United Russia party Yuri Bobryshev.

Under the new requirements, “foreign agents”, persons affiliated with them and members of their families may not serve as assistants to deputies of the Regional Duma, either under civil-law contracts paying 38,500 roubles a month (under USD 460 as of the current rate) or on a voluntary basis.

Novgorod Yabloko believes that the regional parliament’s decision violates citizens’ rights and sets a dangerous precedent for extending restrictions at regional level.

The ban on family members of “foreign agents” has caused particular outrage. The party compares this approach to the practices of Stalin’s repressions, when not only citizens were declared “enemies of the people” but also their relatives, including wives and children, and were persecuted. During the Great Terror of 1937-1938, there was a special category of repressed people: “members of the family of a traitor to the Motherland”.

Until now, restrictions on the rights of “foreign agents” have been imposed at federal level. Yabloko fears that the Novgorod Regional Duma’s decision could set off a chain reaction of additional bans in other regions of Russia.

Viktor Shalyakin, head of the Yabloko faction in the Novgorod Regional Duma:

“Instead of passing laws and decisions that benefit society, the Novgorod parliament of the new convocation has begun its work by restricting citizens’ rights. This is outrageous. Things could go very far this way, and in completely the wrong direction.

“I have asked Sergei Shvetsov, Public Prosecutor of the Novgorod Region, to check whether the Duma’s resolution on deputies’ assistants complies with the Constitution and federal legislation. I am asking him to lodge a protest and demand that the Duma revoke the unlawful requirements for deputies’ assistants.”