Facebook page by Nikolai Rybakov, 4.06.2021

Photo by Natalia Seliverstova /RIA Novosti

Today Vladimir Putin has signed a law prohibiting citizens associated with “extremist” organisations from being elected as deputies. The content of this law is absurd in the best traditions of the adoption of insane laws by the State Duma, and allows absolutely any person to be accused of having links with extremists, allows to accuse absolutely any citizen of this terribly sounding crime. Any organisation undesirable for the authorities can be declared extremist.

Founders and heads of such organisations, as well as persons who (according to the authorities) were involved in the activities, will not be able to be elected. The law does indicate how it will be determined either.

If over the past year one has expressed support for an organisation that is now recognised as extremist, one will not be able to be elected either. When one expressed support for an organisation in a Facebook post a year ago, one might not even have predicted that a year later someone would declare this organisation extremist.

This law (against the backdrop of falling ratings of [the pro-government] United Russia [party]) will become a convenient tool for the Kremlin to withdraw undesirable, strong and competitive candidates in elections. The candidates for whom people could really vote.

Do not even doubt that this law will not apply to the candidates from Vladimir Putin’s parties: United Russia, the LDPR, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Just Russia party. This is the law against the opposition to Putin, against the list and candidates from Yabloko.

There can be only one response to this: participation in politics. In the form possible for you. Seek the release of political prisoners. Talk to people, convince them to participate in politics. Fight for our future.

Source:

https://www.facebook.com/nikolayrybakov/posts/4195463993844620%C2%A0