Press Release, 10.02.2025

Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

On 10 February, the Сhairman of the Yabloko party, Nikolai Rybakov, testified at a session of the Basmanny Court of Moscow as a defenсe witness in the criminal case against the Сo-Сhairman of the Golos independent election observers movement, Grigory Melkonyants.

Rybakov answered questions from the public prosecutor and Mikhail Biryukov the lawyer of Grigory Melkonyants. In particular, Rybakov said that he did not know facts of the activities of the Golos movement or Melkonyants personally against the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the Russian Federation. It should be noted that this is the essence of the charges against the Co-chairman of Golos – “participation in activities directed against the security of the Russian Federation”:

“The very idea of ​​​​accusing Grigory of some kind of activity directed against the state is very dangerous for our country and our state. Grigory is well-known as a person who is a beacon for many professionals, and who has always defended his position: compliance with the law, and interaction with the authorities to solve practical problems. He has never supported the various aspirations of those in our country who insist on some illegal, unlawful actions – Grigory has always advocated evolutionary, not revolutionary development.

Certainly, such an accusation of his actions “against the state” plays very much into the hands of those who want forceful changes in our country, revolutionary changes. Because, in this way, the judgment will only be proven that those who want peaceful changes are subject to such accusations. This is very dangerous for the future,” Rybakov said.

It should be noted that Grigory Melkonyants was detained on 17 August, 2023, and taken to the Investigative Committee for questioning as a witness. Later it was reported that a criminal case was opened against Melkonyants for organising the work of an undesirable NGO. That same evening, he was placed in a pre-trial detention centre, where he is still kept. Grigory Melkonyants faces up to six years in prison.

Yabloko believes the case against Melkonyants is politically motivated and related to his work against election fraud. Yabloko demands that Melkonyants is immediatly released.