Press Release, 6.06.2026

Photo: Grey Boltachev / Photo by Vechernie Vedomosti

Scientist Grey Boltachev has been arrested in Yekaterinburg on an alleged charge of using obscene language in a public place (Article 20.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences). The news was reported by the outlet Vechernie Vedomosti, citing sources. Boltachev had previously announced his intention to stand as a Yabloko candidate for both the regional Legislative Assembly and the State Duma.

Sverdlovsk Yabloko has confirmed that the scientist intended to stand as a party candidate in the forthcoming elections, but notes that the website of the Leninsky District Court of Yekaterinburg contains no information about the arrest of the prospective parliamentary candidate.

According to media reports, Boltachev, a prominent Russian physicist, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, and leading research fellow at the Institute of Electrophysics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, was detained on 3 June at his workplace at the institute. By 4 June he had been arrested and, according to media reports, had managed to inform relatives that he believed the pressure and prosecution to be connected with his intention to stand in the election campaign.

Maxim Petlin, Chairman of the Yabloko branch in Yekaterinburg, states that for all those who know Grey Boltachev personally, the absurdity of the charges against him is beyond doubt:

“Grey Boltachev is a man of the utmost refinement, and it is impossible to imagine him behaving improperly anywhere. For everyone who knows him personally, there is no doubt that his prosecution is politically motivated. This is the first case in Yekaterinburg, setting aside the prosecutions of branch members and of myself, in which the law enforcement agencies have brought pressure to bear on party candidates rather than on party members.”

Yabloko party Chairman Nikolai Rybakov describes the unscrupulous methods of the law enforcement authorities as a matter of profound shame:

“We have absolutely no doubt as to Dr Boltachev’s innocence. He is an exceptionally cultivated man and a respected scientist who is nonetheless unafraid to state his political position openly. It is a matter of profound shame when such unscrupulous methods are employed against those who stand for peace and freedom. We will do everything possible to secure the earliest possible release and acquittal of Grey Boltachev.”

It should be noted that Grey Boltachev has stood in elections before, as a Yabloko candidate. In the 2023 elections to the Yekaterinburg City Duma, he featured in the top three of the party list. The list finished fifth overall, with 9.24% of the vote; in a number of Yekaterinburg districts, however, Yabloko candidates received upwards of 20% of the vote, placing ahead of the United Russia list.