Press Release, 1.09.2023

Photo: Oksana Sergeyeva / Photo by the Novgorod branch of Yabloko

Police drew up an administrative protocol on the “demonstration of extremist symbols” – a photo with a flag with two white and one blue stripes – against Oksana Sergeyeva, a Yabloko candidate for the Novgorod City Duma.

The photos were published last spring from rallies for peace held in Warsaw in support of Russians who disagree with Vladimir Putin’s policies.

The police decided that these photographs demonstrated of the symbols of the Freedom of Russia Legion banned in the Russian Federation.

Activists of the Novgorod branch of Yabloko are certain that the accusations are far-fetched and represent political pressure on the candidate. Yet Oksana Sergeyeva continues her campaign for the Novgorod City Duma.

However, Oksana Sergeyeva, like Valery Kochnev, may be deprived of the right to be elected for a year if found guilty under Article 20.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.

In addition, it is reported that two more top Yabloko candidates in the elections to the Novgorod City Duma were summoned to the police: the Chair and current deputy of the City Duma Anna Cherepanova and the leader of the local Yabloko branch in Novgorod Viktor Shalyakin.  It is yet unclear what exactly Cherepanova and Shalyakin are charged with.

Read more about persecution of Yabloko members since the start of the special military operation