Statement by the Regional Council of the Pskov branch of Yabloko, 19.10.2024

Photo: Conference of the Pskov regional branch of the Yabloko party on 19 October, 2024 /Photo by the Pskov branch of the party

Five searches have already taken place within the framework of the criminal case opened on the so-called violation of the law on “foreign agents”, in which Lev Shlosberg, Deputy Chairman of the Yabloko party, is a suspect: in the apartment of Lev Shlosberg and his wife, in the apartment of Lev Shlosberg’s 95-year-old father, in the regional office of the party and twice in the personal premises of people who have no relation to either Lev Shlosberg or the Pskov Yabloko.

This case is absurd in its essence. Despite the fact that Lev Shlosberg does not agree with the status of a “foreign agent” and continues to challenge it in court, despite the fact that he considers Russian legislation on “foreign agents” to be repressive, unlawful and demands its repeal, nevertheless the politician takes a responsible approach to complying with the law and puts the so-called “notice of his foreign agent status” on all his publications. Anyone who reads his social media can see this.

We believe that behind the investigation there are people who have nothing to do with the investigative bodies and who abuse political power in violation of all the foundations of the constitutional order. The case against Lev Shlosberg is a case against the rights and freedoms of Russian citizens.

A series of searches and a total of more than a dozen units of seized equipment is nothing more than an act of intimidation against the politician, his team, the entire Yabloko party and its supporters. This is a reaction to the consistent and well-audible public position of the politician living in Russia, in his native Pskov, and calling for peace and freedom, an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine and a diplomatic settlement of the conflict, during which people are dying every day.

Lev Shlosberg is a legal politician in principal. Opposition to politicians of this kind should be carried out exclusively through civilised political actions. Political persecution, criminal cases, searches and other threats have nothing to do with civilised politics. They destroy the state.

We call for an end to the persecution of Lev Shlosberg and all people in Russia who demand peace, freedom and respect for human rights.