The leader of the Dagestan branch of YABLOKO: the police are lying about the break of the cordon so that to justify their unlawful actions

Press Release, December 27, 2012.

The police released Artur Babayev, the leader of the Dagestan branch of YABLOKO, who had been previously detained in Makhachkala. The politician stated that the press service of the republican Interior Ministry lied that he had allegedly tried to break through the cordons into the building. Allegedly the building was cordoned as explosives had been found in the roof...

A police officer in the police department took Babayev’s fingerprints and photographed him allegedly "on suspicion of the previously committed crimes". In his report the policeman who brought Babayev to the police department wrote an obvious lie that the politician had tried to “break the cordon". Later this lie was broadcasted by the Interior Ministry.

Later Babayev was released, but the police refused to give him any documents proving the fact of his detention.

YABLOKO is considering the possibility to appeal against the police actions, as the law envisaged that only those "suspected of committing a crime, accused of a crime, convicted of a crime or subject to administrative arrest" are subjects to mandatory fingerprinting.

The leader of the Dagestan branch of YABLOKO detained and the party's office in Makhachkala is surrounded by police cordons

Press Release, December 27, 2012.

Artur Babyev, leader of the Dagestan branch of YABLOKO, is detained in Makhachkala. The party office is surrounded by police cordons.

About an hour ago Babayev came to the party office at Yusupova, 53. The building was surrounded by police. When Babayev tried to clarify the reasons of police cordons, one of police officials told to detain him and escort him to the Leninsky police department of Makhachkala...

Grigory Yavlinsky: “This law is an immense government’s and human meanness against defenseless orphans”

Grigory Yavlinsky’s address to the deputies of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, December 26, 2012

The Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg did not put into the agenda the address to the Federation Council calling the latter to reject the so-called Dima Yakovlev law (the "orphans law"). The address was initiated by ten members of the Legislative Assembly, including the YABLOKO faction. An appeal from Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of the YABLOKO faction, was distributed among deputies before the plenary session. Here comes the complete text of the appeal...

The Ministry of Education and Science is inefficient, not universities

Statement by YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin in connection with dismissal of Sergei Baburin, Rector of the Russian University for Trade and Economy (RGTEU), December 26, 2012.

At present we can observe an attack against the remnants of independence of the Russian university education. Sergei Baburin, Rector of RGTEU, was dismissed from his post by the order of the Ministry of Education on December 24. This decision is an act of political violence by the Ministry of Education against the rector, who demanded from the Ministry to explain why and under what criteria his university had been listed as "inefficient" and had had to be merged with another university.
I believe that the dismissal of Sergei Baburin, Rector of RGTEU, is unlawful and only aggravates the situation around the merger of universities. It is surprising that federal television channels are employed in the fight against the students and the former rector RGTEU. The pieces of news broadcasted by TV diminish the role and significance of Sergei Baburin as an academic...

Protesters against the Anti-Magnitsky Law by the Federation Council face huge fines and compulsory community service works

Press Release, December 26, 2012.

Activists of the Youth YABLOKO protesting this morning by the Federation Council against the so-called Dima Yakovlev law (“the orphans law”) are facing administrative fines amounting to RUR 30,000 (approximately USD 1,000) and compulsory community service works. Cases of administrative violations are filed against four activists.

A series of pickets against the approval by the Federation Council of the law prohibiting American families to adopt children from Russia started an hour before the plenary session of the Federation Council. In order not to violate the law, as only one-person pickets can be conducted without getting a prior permission from the authorities, the protesters planned to picket in turn changing each other every ten minutes and passing the banners "Senators, fight against corruption, not orphans" and "Children freeze in the cold war” from hand to hand...

Boris Vishnevsky: Have you voted for "anyone" but the ruling party? Now get the consequences

Boris Vishnevsky's blog at the Ekho Moskvi web-site, December 22, 2012.

"Vote for anyone but the [ruling] United Russia! ", this is how Alexei Navalny tried to persuade people on the threashold of the State Duma elections [in December 2011]. Such a variant of voting was supported then by Eunegia Chirikova, Grigory Golosov, Andrei Buzin, Artemiy Troitsky, Grigory Chkhartishvili [Boris Akunin] and others.

A large part of the protest electorate followed that advice, thus the Just Russia and the Communist party candidates got into the Duma (whereas their results were much higher than they had expected). However, YABLOKO did not get into the Duma, as many people chose to vote for the Just Russia so that “not to vote in vain”. And another part of those who could have supported the democratic opposition and get it into the Duma spoiled their ballots tempted by persuasions by Boris Nemtsov, Vladimir Ryzhkov, Viktor Shenderovich, Dmitry Bykov, Andrei Piontkovsky and others to choose the “off with all of you” strategy. Which, as I recall, its authors proudly called "a real threat to the government" and "the only correct strategy leading to a change of government and restoring of fair elections"...
A year has passed, and that the Duma adopts the "law of scoundrels" [i.e. the law on orphans]. [The ruling] United Russia and Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s faction and the communists and the Just Russia factions vote in unison on a single impulse: 420 of 450 votes "for" the law is almost an unprecedented result for parliament. Everything is clear with the Zhirinovsky’s faction and the communists. But some people vested hopes in the [socialist] Just Russia. But how did the latter vote?..

A Merry Christmas Card. Dear friends,

Season's greetings and best wishes for your success and happiness in the new year.

YABLOKO to picket against the “orphans law”

Press Release, December 25, 2012.

Tomorrow, on December 26, YABLOKO activists will conduct a series of one-person pickets against adoption by the State Duma of the “orphans law” (the “Dima Yakovlev law”).

The action will be held under the slogan, “Senators, fight against corruption, not against orphans!”

The picket will be held by the Federation Council, as senators will be considering the law on December 26.

The picket will begin at 9:30 a.m...

The ban on adoption of Russian children by US citizens is immoral

RIA Novosti, December 24, 2012.

St.Petersburg, Dec. 24, RIA Novosti. Alexander Shishlov, Human Rights Commissioner in St. Petersburg, considers the adoption of amendments to the draft law "On measures against persons involved in violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms, rights and freedoms of citizens of the Russian Federation" prohibiting the adoption of Russian orphans by U.S. citizens, immoral...

"The adoption of the amendments prohibiting adoptions of orphaned Russian children by U.S. citizens seems to me a very cynical act. The authors of the amendments virtually propose to apply "sanctions" not against the individuals involved in human rights violations (which, as follows from its title the draft law targets at), but against Russian children who can not find a family in Russia at present, " said Shishlov...

YABLOKO demands actions from the Krasnoyarsk government on the Boguchanskaya Hydroelectric Power Station

Plotine.net, December 21, 2012.

On December 20, representatives of non-parliamentary parties spoke to the deputies of the Krasnoyarsk Region Legislative Assembly. Oksana Demchenko, Chair of the Krasnoyarsk regional branch of YABLOKO, urged the lawmakers to oblige the owners of the Boguchanskaya Hydroelectric Power Station to evaluate and compensate for the damage caused to the environment and local people, as well as conduct an environmental assessment of their further development of the Lower Angara River area.

According to Demchenko, the creation of powerful new industries in the area (an aluminum plant, a timber complex and wood-chemical and pulp and paper mills) is impossible without a strategic environmental assessment, otherwise the present practices of development of the territories will inevitably lead to an imbalance between the industrial development and the environment. "The lack of a strategic environmental assessment of the investment projects does not allow to create a model of a rational use of natural resources in the region," she said in her speech. Oksana Demchenko also recalled that six weeks ago, the federal Political Council of the YABLOKO party sent a special message to the Legislative Assembly of the Krasnoyarsk region, noting disturbing examples of negligence of the standards of social and environmental responsibility in the Lower Angara area...

We demand that prosecution of Suren Gazaryan be stopped

Statement by the YABLOKO party, December 21, 2012.

The Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO expresses a categorical protest against the prosecution of Suren Gazaryan and putting him on the federal wanted list. Suren Gazaryan is a well-known environmentalist, an organizer of public actions against outrageous environmental violations in the Krasnodar region, the initiator of the resonance investigations of unlawful construction of permanent facilities in the natural reserves, Gazaryan plays an important role in the socio-political life of the region and criminal prosecution of Gazaryan represents nothing but a revenge of the authorities to him for his civil and political activity...

Considering the prosecution of Suren Gazaryan politically motivated, the YABLOKO party demands from Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee of Russia, to check the actions of his subordinates in the Krasnodar region who have been fabricating the second criminal case against Suren Gazaryan on absolutely fictitious grounds.

YABLOKO calls on all opposition forces, all the honest people to switch into the campaign in defence of Suren Gazaryan. Let us not allow the authorities to imprison him!

Changes to Khodorkovsky's jail sentence must not deflect EU from asking tough questions of Russia at today's summit

Press Release, ALDE, December 21, 2012

ALDE spokeswoman on Russia Kristiina Ojuland MEP today expressed satisfaction at news of the two-year reduction in the prison sentence of businessman Mikhail Khodorkovsky but warned EU leaders at today's EU-Russia summit not to be misled...

"This welcome news on the Khodorkovsky case should not be allowed to obscure the profound deterioration in the rule of law in Russia"...

ODM nominates Odinga for Kenya's presidency

LI News Bulletin, Issue 313, December 19, 2012

Orange Democratic Movement, LI partner and Africa Liberal Network member, has formally nominated Prime Minister Raila Odinga to contest Kenya's presidency at the elections next year. Speaking after the nomination, PM Odinga said ODM represents the interests of 40 million Kenyans and that he wanted to sign an agreement with Kenyans about the services he hopes to deliver when he wins the poll. Odinga reiterated that creation of jobs would go hand in hand with investment in infrastructure and in education: 'We will ensure that every child gets quality education regardless of the economic status of their parents'. ODM unveiled a new six-point manifesto focused on rule of law and an end to impunity, genuine devolution of power and resources, wealth and job creation, equal protection and social protection for all, one united Kenyan nation and land reforms. In the World Today Resolution adopted at the Abidjan Congress, 'LI expresses solidarity with liberal forces in [Kenya], including ALN member the ODM of PM Odinga…[and] calls for an election campaign free of violence, intimidation or ethnic hatred.'

YABLOKO conducted a round table on Russia’s migration problems

Press Release, December 19, 2012.

The YABLOKO party invited experts to discuss migration problems in Russia. Opening the round table, Boris Misnik, Coordinator of YABLOKO’s Political Committee, outlined the key issues for the discussion, including control over residence and registration, their legal basis, living conditions in the country of residence, everyday xenophobia and others.

Galina Mikhalyova, Secretary of YABLOKO’s Political Committee, stressed that YABLOKO realized the complexity of the migration problems.

"We have invited experts so that they would help us to develop a clear position on this issue. Because a social-liberal political party offering an alternative to the government’s policy, can not avoid this complex problem," she said...

Sanctions against Russian orphans

Grigory Yavlinsky's Live Journal, December 19, 2012.

The issue on the [Russian Duma] ban on adoptions of [Russian] orphans by Americans is important. I am very sorry for the children.

It is a significant law. Not only it gives another proof of stupidity and the resulting cruelty, but also demonstrates the Bolshevik and Stalinist nature of the Russian political system. A kind of capitalism with a Stalin's face.

Bolsheviks and Stalinists always take a "revenge" on their enemy in such a way that it brings a huge and often irreparable damage to the citizens of Russia, in this case to desolate and helpless children, whom they regard as their property, as serfs, as inanimate objects...

The sanctions against Russian orphans imposed by the State Duma are a disgusting, cruel, unfair and cowardly decision adopted in a unanimous pseudo-patriotic frenzy...

State Duma’s revenge on the US affects only Russian orphans

Statement by YABLOKO Chairman, December 18, 2012.

The YABLOKO party expresses its resolute protest against the intention of the State Duma to adopt an amendment into the controversial draft law "On measures against persons involved in the violation of the rights of citizens of the Russian Federation" (the so-called "Dima Yakovlev Law") as a “response” by the Russian authorities to the Magnitsky Act adopted in the US. The amendment bans the adoption of Russian children by US citizens

We do not think that the adoption of the Magnitsky Act was right, as the "punishment" in the form of a refuse to issue visas is not based on a court decision. Actually in dealing with this foreign policy issue the US abolished a juridical approach they are guided in the solution of domestic issues.

However, the "response" of the Russian Duma turned out to be not even more unlawful, but simply disgusting. The victims of legal nihilism of the Russian lawmakers are not Americans (who will simply adopt children in other countries), but the most vulnerable category of the Russian citizens – the orphans...

Liberals - the engine of European integration of Moldova

Press Release, the ALDE party, December 19, 2012

On Saturday 15 December, Mihai Ghimpu MP, President of the Liberal Party of Moldova, Corina Fusu MP, Deputy President of the Liberal Party and Elena Prus, President of the Institute for Liberal Studies opened the conference "Liberals - the engine of European integration of Moldova" . Sir Graham Watson MEP, President of the ALDE Party addressed conference participants in a video message. He encouraged Moldova's European integration aim and appreciated the efforts of the MPs and ministers of adjusting the national framework to European standards and values...

Yabloko Party representative in the Russian Federation, Galina Michaleva, spoke about the relationship between Russia and the EU and about the problems of the post-Soviet countries in the process of EU integration. The Expert of the Foreign Policy Association, Eugen Revenco spoke about the role of civil society in Moldova's European integration...

The State Duma should abolish adoption of the law on the homosexual “propaganda”!

Statement by YABLOKO's Gender Faction, December 18, 2012.

On December 19, 2012, the State Duma is going to pass a bill targeted against a part of our society, namely, people belonging to the LGBT community (Lesbian - Gay - Bisexual - Transgender) under the pretext of taking care of children who for some reason should not know about people with other view points and habits.

In the West and other parts of the world the states have ceased to look under their citizens’ blankets prescribing how and with whom they should have sex. Moreover, many countries have legalised gay marriages, and even adoption of children by such couples.

This shameful law against different people disseminating hatred and ousting part of our compatriots into ghettos is virtually accusing them of inferiority. The adoption of such a law means returning of the Soviet law on "sodomy" envisaging criminal prosecution or even refers to the Nazis’ "final solution of the problem" of homosexuality in gas cameras...

Grigory Yavlinsky: reduction of corruption in St.Petersburg implies transparency of financial procedures and control of the St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly over the city budget

Press Release, December 17, 2012.

Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of YABLOKO’s parliamentary faction in St.Petersburg, introduced his amendments to the Rules of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg. These amendments are targeted at improving the transparency of the Committee, as well as enhancing control over the budget planning. According to Yavlinsky, adoption of these amendments would reduce abuse in the field of public funds.

"We need to qualitatively change our approach to the [city] budget. The whole process should be modern and transparent. Only in this case it is possible to reduce corruption," Yavlinsky said. He proposed to the city MPs to publish the agenda of the Committee and all the relevant documents at the web-site of the Legislative Assembly. Also he noted that the agenda of the Committee should be approved in advance...

"[At present] most of St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly MPs vote for the budget without its detailed analysis or control over expenditures, being satisfied by redistribution of less than one per cent of the budget for their own goals within the frameworks of the Committee. It resembles an exchange of services: MPs do not control the budget, and the officials allow them to spend 0.5 per cent of the budget at their discretion. This is a pattern of political corruption," Yavlinsky said...

Grigory Yavlinsky: depriving of officials of their bonuses for failing to implement the budget for St.Petersburg for 2012 is a correct, but insufficient measure

Press Release, December 17, 2012.

Grigory Yavlinsky, leader of the YABLOKO faction in St.Petersburg Legislative Assembly, commented on the Governor’s decision to deprive a number of city officials of their bonuses for poor implementation of the budget for 2012.

"Implementation of the budget lies in the direct responsibilities of the Government of St. Petersburg. Year after year, we have observed non-implementation of the law [on the budget]. The authorities regularly proclaim that the budget is ‘socially oriented’, however also regularly do not implement the key items of the budget: do not build social facilities such as schools, kindergartens and hospitals, they do not to build roads and other infrastructure facilities. St.Petersburg dwellers pay taxes, and the government in exchange for this promises them mountains of gold, however, in the last minute the government reports that citizens will not receive even what has been planned. The residents of the city quite correctly perceive this as a deceit and their trust to the government drops," Yavlinsky said...

The Supreme Court authorised a total wiretapping of the opposition leaders

Statement by YABLOKO Chairman, December 13, 2012.

The Supreme Court of the RF adopted a resolution announcing wiretapping of any opposition member absolutely lawful.

The resolution was adopted on the Maxim Petlin case. The highest court recognised the sanction of the court on listening to Petlin’s telephone conversations and spying on him lawful, as he is member of the YABLOKO party.

The decision of the Supreme Court, which will clearly form a precedent for the entire court system was based only on Petlin’s participation in the work of the YABLOKO party and, therefore, can be applied to any member of our or any other opposition party.

The court ruled out that participation in the activities of a political party held "some evidence of crime as envisaged by Article 280 of the Criminal Code [namely] "public calls for extremist activities".

Indeed, the YABLOKO party, as was indicated by the court, was aiming at “changing the Putin-Medvedev regime” organizing protest actions, and, which is the worst thing, giving a negative assessment to the "broadening of the proxies of the Federal Security Service of Russia”...

Reduction of budget funding for treatment of cancer patients means genocide!

Statement by the Social Democratic Faction of the Russian United Democratic Party YABLOKO, December 12, 2012.

We are outraged by the statement made by Maxim Mishchenko, leader of the [pro-Kremlin] Young Russia movement, on the need to reduce budget expenditure on treatment of cancer patients. The former MP from the United Russia faction intends to introduce his criminal initiative at the hearings of the Public Chamber devoted to paid medical services, after which he intends to send the draft to the Ministry of Healthcare.

We regard the initiative proposed by the leader of United Russia's youth organisation as an open manifestation of fascism and violation of the Constitution of the Russian Federation guaranteeing all citizens the right to life and free health care.

We demand that the ruling party stop its mockery of Russia’s people and the attack on the right of citizens to high-quality free education and free health care, as well as curbing of the social responsibilities of the state taking place against the background of an unprecedented in Russia's history growth of oil and gas revenues...

YABLOKO’s Elena Dubrovina receives the Lawyer of the Year award

Greetings from Sergei Mitrokhin, December 9, 2012.

Dear Elena Pavlovna,

For and on behalf of the YABLOKO party I am pleased to congratulate you on awarding you the Lawyer of the Year prize. This prize is especially valuable because it is awarded to you by your colleagues. This represents, though to a small extent only, the recognition of your high qualification, your commitment to principles and independence. Your respect for the law, which characterises your professional activity, may serve as a model for all lawyers.

We are proud that our views coincide and that we have been working together...

Romania: ‘I now foresee a period of difficult cohabitation’

Press Release, the ALDE party, December 12, 2012

On Monday morning, ALDE Party President Sir Graham Watson MEP hosted a breakfast for members of the press and presented a liberal view on the latest headlines around Europe before answering questions.

He first welcomed the result of the elections in Romania, remarking: “despite the low turnout, early indications are the ruling USL social-liberal alliance in Romania has won a large majority of the popular vote which could rise to as much as 70%. I now foresee a period of difficult cohabitation in the country.”

“I see a lot of parallels with the situations in Romania and in Italy,” he continued. “I regret the pulling of support by Silvio Berlusconi's People of Liberty party for the government of Mario Monti and I fear that in the aftermath of this election, the pressure for economic discipline could slip. The last thing we need at this time are crises in those two economies which are bigger than Greece’s.”

Sir Graham also answered questions on the UN Climate Summit in Doha, Qatar, that concluded on Sunday and which he attended...

If EU leaders are not prepared to agree on how to end the crisis, they should stay at home

Press Release, ALDE, December 12, 2012

"Tomorrow's EU summit in Brussels lacks ambition", according to ALDE group leader, Guy Verhofstadt, addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

"Last June, the European Council decided that by the end of the year 'a time bound road map for the achievement of a genuine economic and monetary union' would be agreed, yet expectations of any agreement at this week's summit are so low that EU leaders might as well stay home."

"Meanwhile the crisis is not over, spreads remain above 400 base points for Spain and the mere prospect of a return of Berlusconi to politics in Italy sends shock waves through the markets"...

Sharon Bowles (UK, Lib Dem), chairwoman of Parliament's economic and monetary affairs committee, underlined the cost of delay: "Delay may be politically convenient but it has a high cost - not just in financial terms, but in the human cost and the blight of uncertainty that lies over the plans of individuals and businesses across Europe"...

The third action of Vladimir Putin supporters in front of the Krasnodar YABLOKO office is marked by burning effigies of Sergei Mitrokhin, Evgenia Chirikova and Alexei Navalny

Press Release, Video, December 6, 2012.

On December 4, 2012, the third action of Vladimir Putin supporters took place in front of the Krasnodar office of the YABLOKO party. The action was organised by the Social Justice public organisation uniting Vladimir Putin supporters. The participants of the action burned the effigies of Sergei Mitrokhin, Evgenia Chirikova and Alexei Navalny.

About 50 people participated in the ‘puting’ (a word coined of two words - “Putin” and “meeting” - and meaning a loud action in support of Vladimir Putin). Most of them were elderly people. They stated that “YABLOKO was trying to destroy Russia”, and that “YABLOKO was fungus and moldiness parasiting on Russia’s healthy body”...

YABLOKO’s candidate for the post of the head of the Krymsk District in the South Russia is removed from elections due to a provocation from the authorities

Press Release, December 4, 2012.

YABLOKO’s candidate for the post of the head of the Krymsk District in the South Russia, removed from elections due to a sly provocation from the authorities
A few days ago the Krymsk District Court imposed a fine amounting to RUR 2,000 on a Mr.Petrenko, who pretended to campaign for Yugeny Vitishko distributing food-stuff allegedly on behalf of Vitishko. Vitishko did not know the campaigner and therefore did not interfere into the trial or challenge the court’s decision.
However, due to this decision, the Court was able to remove Vitishko from the elections because bribing of voters was allegedly conducted on behalf of Vitishko. This decision was made by Judge Galina Yurchevskaya on December 4...

Membership of WTO is not a blank cheque for Russia in its trade relations with the EU

Press Release, ALDE, December 5, 2012

At the initiative of Silvana Koch-Mehrin (FDP, Germany) and Kristiina Ojuland (Reform Party, Estonia), the ALDE group held today a seminar on the trade relationship between EU and Russia with the key participation of Pascal Lamy, General Director of the WTO, and Karel de Gucht, EU Commissioner for Trade. Russia is the EU's third largest trading partner. In a resolution adopted during last October's plenary session, the European Parliament stressed that its accession to the WTO should accelerate reforms in Russia, including the fight against corruption and application of the rule of law...

European Liberals warn against attempts to limit internet freedom

Press Release, the ALDE party, December 5, 2012

"The internet is borderless and it is its decentralised organisation that has created so much value for billions of people worldwide", said ALDE Party President Sir Graham Watson as the delegates of the world conference of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) gathered for the opening in Dubai discussing a revision of a global treaty governing the internet.

Many states and corporations seek a tight grip on the internet to suppress people or pursue vested business interests but the internet must remain free to allow people to freely create and innovate, organise and influence economic progress and societal development.

For many centuries "European Liberals have always been the guardians of individual liberties offline. We will continue doing so also online as well ", added the President of European Liberal Democrats referring to a strong resolution on the preservation of global digital freedom adopted by the ALDE Party at its recent Congress in Dublin...

YABLOKO to conduct lectures for electoral commission members with a casting vote

Press Release, December 3, 2012.

Next week YABLOKO launches a series of lectures on the work of electoral commission members with a casting vote. All candidates to electoral commissions (those registered at the party web-site and those not registered yet) can listen to the lectures.

A law on formation of precinct electoral commissions for next five years came into force on November 1. These commissions will work at elections of all levels until April 2018. YABLOKO goes on recruiting candidates for nomination as members of precinct electoral commissions with a casting vote...

A “memorial action of the deceased fair elections” took place by the Central Electoral Commission Moscow office and in other cities

Press Release, December 4, 2012.

A “memorial action of the deceased fair elections” has begun by the Central Electoral Commission Moscow office and in other cities. The action was launched by YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin by laying flowers to the Central Electoral Commission Moscow office at noon...

Today YABLOKO activists have been laying white carnations to electoral commissions in Ufa, Saransk, Kazan, Izhevsk, Voronezh, Kirov, Penza, Pskov, Ryazan, Smolensk, Tula, Vladimir, Vologda and Novgorod.

Sergei Mitrokhin: Churov has not realized what happened a year ago

Press Release, December 4, 2012.

The Central Electoral Commission (CEC) has not realized what happened in the parliamentary elections on December 4, 2011. It was not the YABLOKO party which stole the votes, votes were stolen from the YABLOKO party. This is how YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin commented on the statement from the CEC press service running that if YABLOKO did not recognize the results of the voting, then it would be "logical" for YABLOKO to refuse state financing [allotted to all the political parties in Russia that obtaining over three 3 per cent at the elections].
Sergei Mitrokhin compared such a proposal on behalf of the CEC for YABLOKO to give up state financing with a situation when a police would suddenly demand money from a robbery victim as they can not find the robbers.

YABLOKO leader also noted that the party had filed hundreds of complaints to courts, but they had been rejected, despite obvious evidence of violations – election carousels, stuffing of fraudulent ballots into ballot boxes, ousting of observers from polling stations and faking of final voting protocols.

Mitrokhin also said that he applied to Gennady Zyuganov, Communist Party leader, in April 2012 with a proposal to file a joint lawsuit demanding cancellation of the elections. "Only a few days are left until this plan can be realised," Mitrokhin said...

People will be bringing flowers in memory to the Central Electoral Commission in memory of the deceased fair elections for the whole day on December 4

Press Release, December 3, 2012.

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin proposed to commemorate the death day of the most important democratic procedure – fair elections – on the one-year anniversary of the parliamentary elections of 2011...

The Tula regional branch of YABLOKO also calls on all supporters of fair elections bring white carnations to the 6th entrance of the Government of Tula Region office, where the Electoral Commission of the Tula region is located. The action will be held on December 4, from 12:00 to 13:00.

The Vladimir branch of the YABLOKO party will lay flowers to the office of the Oktyabrsky District Administration in Vladimir on December 4. The territorial electoral commission is located in this building. On December 4, 2011, this commission adopted and counted six thousand fraudulent votes from the "Ladoga" resort complex. All the votes were cast for the ruling United Russia party.