Press Release, 2.07.2026

Photo: Yelena Perepelitsa / Photo by Moscow Yabloko

Yabloko member Yelena Perepelitsa was detained in Moscow today, 2 July. She was questioned for several hours by Investigative Committee investigators in connection with a case concerning a donation to a banned organisation. She was then held in a detention facility until the morning. On 3 July, a court is due to consider the question of a preventive measure.

Yelena Perepelitsa was detained on Wednesday morning. She was taken to the North-Eastern Administrative District department of the Investigative Committee, to which her lawyer, Olga Pelsh, travelled. Yelena Perepelitsa was accompanied by defence counsel for most of the questioning.

It has become known that Yelena Perepelitsa was accused of donating to a banned organisation (Article 282.3(1) of the Criminal Code), her lawyer, Olga Pelsh, said after the questioning had ended. She was held in custody until the court hearing. On 3 July at 3 p.m., the Ostankino District Court of Moscow is due to consider the question of a preventive measure. The hearing is expected to be open to the public.

Yelena Perepelitsa is 60 years old. She has been a member of Yabloko since 2017, and from that same year was a member of Moscow electoral commissions at various levels, including the Territorial Electoral Commission of the Maryina Roshcha District.

In an urgent statement, the Bureau of Moscow Yabloko condemned the detention of their colleague, and noted that Yelena Perepelitsa could be accused of donating to an organisation that was not banned in Russia at the time the funds were transferred:

“Yelena Perepelitsa is a long-standing member of Yabloko with considerable experience of work in electoral commissions at various levels, including the Territorial Electoral Commission of the Maryina Roshcha District. She is a person who has devoted years to honest public and civic work. We regard these practices — where past participation in an activity that was legal at the time becomes grounds for prosecution — as a gross violation of the principle of legal certainty and the rule of law.”

Moscow Yabloko also noted that Yelena Perepelitsa’s detention is taking place on the eve of the parliamentary elections, and “is part of an evident series of political pressure on the party”.