Press Release, 1.10.2021

Photo: Lev Shlosberg and Vladimir Zhilinsky / Photo by the Press Service of the Pskov branch of Yabloko

After the inclusion of several independent human rights media and 20 Russian citizens in the register of foreign media agents, including Vladimir Zhilinsky, a member of the Regional Council of the Pskov Yabloko and coordinator of the Pskov branch of Golos [independent observers movement], the Regional Council of the Pskov branch of Yabloko made a statement. The Regional Council considers the actions of the Ministry of Justice to be political repressions, expresses solidarity with all citizens affected by them, and calls on the citizens of Russia to such solidarity.

The full text of the statement by the Regional Council of the Pskov branch of Yabloko:

On 29 September, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation entered the independent human rights media Mediazona and OVD-Info, their founders and editors, as well as 20 Russian citizens, including Vladimir Zhilinsky, a member of the Regional Council of the Pskov Yabloko, coordinator of the All-Russian public movement in defence of the voters rights Golos in the Pskov region, entrepreneur and philanthropist, in the register of foreign media – foreign agents.

In addition, ANO “The Nizhny Novgorod Centre of German and European Culture” and the Ivanovo Regional Public Organisation “Centre for Gender Studies” were included in the register of non-profit organisations – foreign agents.

The Pskov regional branch of the Yabloko party expresses solidarity with Vladimir Zhilinsky and all Russian citizens who have been affected by yet another aggressive and repressive action by the Russian authorities.

The legislation on “foreign agents” and the practices of its application are directly aimed at reproducing the destructive Soviet tradition of political repression in Russia of the 21st century, the symbol of which has become the phrase “enemy of the people”.

The customers of this legislation and all officials involved in its practical implementation are the organisers of political repressions.

These repressions are directed against freedom of speech and freedom of the media, political competition, fair elections, all democratic institutions, and all fundamental human rights and freedoms in Russia.

These actions pose a direct threat to the officially declared foundations of Russia’s constitutional system, contradict its national interests, undermine civil peace in the country and create conditions for public confrontation.

Citizens and organisations recognised as “foreign agents” are patriots of Russia. A foreign agent from the point of view of Russia’s national interests is the present government.

There is no doubt that these repressive actions will find their historical, political and legal, including judicial, assessment in the future. Responsibility is inevitable.

All participating in political repression must remember this.

The Pskov regional branch of the Yabloko party expresses its solidarity with representatives of the Russian civil society who have fallen under political repression, and calls on the citizens of Russia to such solidarity.

Lev M. Shlosberg,

Chairman,

The Pskov regional branch of

the Yabloko party

Adopted at the meeting of the Regional Council of the Pskov regional branch of the Yabloko party on 30 September, 2021