Press Release, 16.05.2014

YABLOKO Bureau expelled Chair of the Kirov branch of YABLOKO Evgeny Kokoulin earlier today. The reason for this was his support of Putin’s policy and participation in the “Committee for the Russian spring in the Kirov region” which was founded to “support the people of Eastern Ukraine who carry national liberation struggle against the neo-fascist Kyiv junta”. Fourteen Bureau members voted for the exclusion, one voted against.

YABLOKO Bureau decided that “Kokoulin’s actions are of provocative character and are directed against both the Ukrainian and the Russian people; [the actions] not only favour the development of fratricidal war but also contribute to its transition into cross ethical carnage”.

Moreover, Kokoulin approves of the annexation of the Crimea and also thinks it’s possible to annex other former USSR territories.

His position contradicts YABLOKO’s stance and does political damage to the party.

A number of Kokoulin’s actions including the Committee for the Russian spring where conducted together with nationalists which is unacceptable for YABLOKO.

Kokoulin’s actions have become a point of issue at the Bureau for the third time.

In 2013 YABLOKO Bureau disapproved of Kokoulin’s public actions in support of Vladimir Kvachkov who was found guilty of an attempt to organize an armed rebellion which aimed to overthrow the constitutional system and was sentenced to 13 years in maximum security penal colony.

In March 2014 YABLOKO Bureau discussed a mass media publication which reported that ” a democrat, human rights advocate and Chair of the Kirov branch of YABLOKO Evgeny Kokoulin praised Vladimir Putin time and again, insisted that all those present should admit that the USSR excited de jure and also intended to annex other former USSR territories together with the Crimea”.
The Bureau discussed the situation in Ukraine twice today. The statement “Policies targeted at instigating a civil war in Eastern Ukraine are criminal” has been accepted.