Press Release, 30.10.2025

Photo: Maxim Kruglov spoke at the hearing via video link from Butyrka remand prison / Photo by the Moscow City Court Press Service

Yabloko Deputy Chairman Maxim Kruglov will remain in a remand prison until 29 November. Such was the ruling of the Moscow City Court on 30 October, after considering an appeal against the politician’s arrest. The defence — Kruglov is represented in court by lawyers Natalia Tikhonova and Sergei Badamshin — pointed to the “negligence” of Moscow’s Zamoskvoretsky Court and an unacceptable number of errors in its ruling on arrest.

For example, the case materials state that Kruglov is charged with publicly disseminating “fakes” on social media back in 2020. However, at that time such an article of the Criminal Code did not yet exist. In addition, the investigation materials (which formed the basis for arrest) state that Maxim Kruglov is accused of “a corruption crime”, for which punishment of up to 15 years’ imprisonment is provided. This is not the case: the charge brought against Kruglov is not a corruption crime and involves a different prison term.

“There really are many such errors in the materials of the court of first instance”, Maxim Kruglov supported the defence’s arguments. Speaking in court via video link from the remand prison, he spoke about his work in Yabloko and in the Moscow City Duma, about his academic degree, his teaching activities, and his family, and also emphasised: “I am not going to hinder the investigation, abscond from it or conduct any unlawful activities.”

Both Maxim Kruglov and his defence asked the court to overturn the arrest or impose a preventive measure not involving deprivation of freedom.

The investigation representative briefly countered, “The ruling is lawful and justified. I ask that it be left unchanged.”

The court deliberated for about five minutes and decided in favour of the investigation.

“Thus, Kruglov will remain in custody at least until 29 November,” lawyer Natalia Tikhonova reported following the hearing. “Maxim does not plead guilty to the act with which he is charged, the defence believes his persecution is politically motivated, connected with his activities in the Yabloko party, where Maxim Kruglov has been a member for almost 22 years and currently holds the position of party Deputy Chairman.”

The lawyer also noted that Maxim Kruglov conveyed words of gratitude to all who came: “Special thanks to Nikolai Rybakov and other party members who attended the court hearing.” Dozens of supporters and party members, colleagues and students of Maxim Kruglov came today to support their colleague, friend and teacher.

Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov noted that the party is providing Maxim with all possible assistance, including financial. Yabloko will also transfer to Maxim Kruglov’s family part of the funds that will be raised at the charity auction on 13 November.

It should be noted that Maxim Kruglov has been deprived of liberty since 1 October; he has been charged with publicly disseminating “fakes” about the army (Article 207.3 of the Criminal Code). This charge has no real grounds whatsoever and is part of political pressure on independent opinions, Yabloko states.

It should also be noted that 30 October was Remembrance Day for Victims of Political Repression. On this tragic and bitter date, it is customary not only to honour the memory of those innocently convicted and those who perished in repressions, but also to show solidarity with political prisoners of contemporary Russia.

At present, Maxim Kruglov is being held in remand prison No. 2 (Butyrka) in Moscow.