Press Release, 20.04.2022

Photo: Viktor Shalyakin /Photo from social networks

On 20 April, Viktor Shalyakin, a member of the Regional Council of the Novgorod branch of the Yabloko Party and the Chairman of the city branch of the party, got three protocols at once on an administrative offense. This was reported by Anna Cherepanova, the leader of the Novgorod Regiona branch of Yabloko.

The protocols were drawn up under the articles on “discrediting the armed forces of the Russian Federation” (Article 20.3.3 Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), “disrespect for state power” (Article 20.1 Part 3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses), and “spreading campaign materials in violation of the electoral legislation” (Article 5.12 Part 1).

Earlier, another administrative protocol had been drawn up against Viktor Shalyakin on the “dissemination of false information” about the “special operation”.

Also, on 30 March, he was attacked by an unidentified person in the street when he was sticking party leaflets “For Peace”.

On 10 April, by-elections to the City Duma were held in Novgorod. Yabloko candidate Ksenia Cherepanova came second with 10.5% of voters’ support. The Novgorod police confiscated from the candidate’s headquarters about 7,000 copies of her leaflets with the inscription “Cherepanova for Peace” and the image of a dove of peace.

Ksenia Cherepanova did not recognize the election results. The election campaign of the Yabloko candidate was conducted under the slogan “Cherepanova for Peace!“.

Read more about the persecution of Yabloko members after the start of the “special operation”.