Press Release, 18.07.2026

Photo: Archive photo from the party, a 2011 rally in Moscow in support of Maxim Petlin

A court in Kirov has fined Vladislav Arkhipov, an environmentalist and Yabloko candidate for the State Duma on both the federal list and in a single-mandate constituency, under the article on “displaying extremist symbols”. He may now be barred from the elections.

Last Friday, 17 July, the Leninsky District Court of Kirov fined Vladislav Arkhipov, an environmentalist and the party’s candidate for the State Duma in the forthcoming September elections. The fine, amounting to 1,500 roubles, was imposed under the article on “displaying extremist symbols” (Article 20.3 of the Administrative Offences Code).

According to the court ruling, the grounds for the fine was a video titled “Navalny’s Funeral,” posted on VK in March 2024. The ruling states that the video displays an inscription that constitutes the paraphernalia of an extremist organisation.

Arkhipov was detained in Kirov outside the Electoral Commission building on Friday, 17 July, and was taken directly to a police station and then to court, where he was fined. That same day, he had been due to submit his documents as a Yabloko candidate for Constituency No. 106.

Vladislav Arkhipov’s participation in the forthcoming election campaign is now in question. It should be noted that a person found guilty of “displaying extremist symbols” (Article 20.3 of the Administrative Offences Code) is automatically barred from standing in elections for a year from the date the court ruling takes effect. Vladislav Arkhipov is currently considering, together with colleagues, what further steps to take to defend his rights.

This is the first instance of fines for “displaying extremist symbols” (Article 20.3 of the Administrative Offences Code) being imposed on Yabloko candidates who have already been nominated for the State Duma. However, courts have previously barred many party leaders and activists from standing for a year, including Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov and leading Yabloko members in St. Petersburg, Pskov, Karelia and Novgorod.

Nevertheless, in June Yabloko put forward hundreds of candidates for the State Duma — all standing under the slogan of the shortest election platform in the party’s history: “For Peace and Freedom! For a Life Without Fear!”