Press Release, 17.09.2026

Photo: Akhmed Abazov / Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Akhmed Abazov, Yabloko’s candidate for the State Duma in single-mandate Constituency No. 19 in the Karachay-Cherkessia Republic, has stated that he was forced to withdraw his candidacy due to unprecedented pressure and threats against him and his family. According to him, the pressure came from representatives of the Karachay-Cherkessia regional branch of United Russia and certain officials from the Republic’s leadership.

As Abazov wrote on his channel, on the morning of 7 September he was contacted by an acquaintance who represents the regional branch of United Russia, who suggested meeting under the pretext of discussing issues of social importance to Karachay-Cherkessia. Two people he did not know, as well as one of the Republic’s well-known parliamentarians, were also present at the meeting.

“I was told directly, straight away, that I had to withdraw my candidacy from the election, since the candidate from United Russia was supposed to win in Constituency No. 19. At the time, I refused without hesitation and ended the conversation,” Abazov said.

After that, he said, over the course of several days he and members of his family received threats and warnings demanding that he withdraw from the election. Because of direct threats to the life and health of his relatives, Abazov ultimately decided to withdraw his candidacy and completed the formal procedures required to do so.

Abazov is deliberately not naming those he believes were involved in the pressure campaign. He says all the information and evidence available to him has already been forwarded to the Investigative Committee and the Public Prosecutor General’s Office of Russia.

Akhmed Abazov and his family are currently safe.

“I call on all Russian citizens to make the right choice over the next three days! It is within our power to stop the lawlessness and arbitrary rule that United Russia is perpetrating. For peace! For freedom! For Yabloko!” Abazov said.

Earlier in the current campaign, four other Yabloko candidates for the State Duma in single-mandate constituencies withdrew from the election due to pressure and threats.

Threats of violence and death were also made against Roman Morozov and Dmitry Mamayev, Yabloko candidates for the Kaliningrad Regional Legislative Assembly. An unidentified person demanded that they withdraw from the election; however, both candidates have remained in the campaign. In connection with this, Yabloko Chairman Nikolai Rybakov appealed to Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev, demanding that the author of the threats be identified and that the candidates’ safety be ensured.