Statement by the YABLOKO party, 01.04.2014

The State Duma deputies from the United Russia and the Just Russia factions presented a bill which puts an end to the conduction of any public actions in Russia which are not in favor of the authorities.

If the bill is passed the criminal liability – a prison term of up to five years – will be imposed for any repeated violation of the law on public rallies. The fines for the violations committed for the first time will be raised dramatically.

The first “violation” will cost one million roubles, 30 days of arrest for the second one, 3 years in prison for the third, this is the logic of the lawmakers.

In order of prohibition absurd Russia will not only overtake but surpass Belarus: the maximum prison term for protesting there is “only” 3 years.

The bill was presented after consulting with Vladimir Putin who in fact approved of the criminal liability. He claimed: “We should analyze the experience of “orange revolutions”, protect the citizens from nationalists, from ultras”.

The authorities deliberately mislead the citizens by means of inventing reasons for abrogating the constitutional right for freedom of assembly.

Ultra-radicals are the least of all interested in public actions, the underground and preparation of military takeovers are in their element.

The society itself, its most active part, which has nothing to do with radicals will become the main target of the barbarian amendments to the law.

The fear of “orange revolutions” incites the authorities to humiliating policy of repressions against their own citizens.

Stop tightening the screws! They are so tightened that the thread will sooner or later break off. And then the time for”nationalists and ultras” will ripe. We call Vladimir Putin not only to vote down, but also to make fun of his colleagues’ shameful initiative.

YABLOKO Chairman
Sergei Mitrokhin