Press Release, 11.08.2020

Photo: Ronald Ayrapetyan

Vitaly Zubenko, Chairman of the Stavropol branch of Yabloko sent an appeal to the regional Public Prosecutor’s Office demanding to investigate into unlawful detentions of Ronald Ayrapetyan, member of the regional branch of the party, as well as anonymous threats against him.

On August 8, police detained Ronald Ayrapetyan, activist of the Yabloko party, who was planning to hold a single picket (such pickets do not require any permissions from the authorities) in Yessentuki in support of the residents of Khabarovsk. The activist had a blank poster with him. This was enough for the police to take him to the police station.

According to Ayrapetyan, the police took explanations from him and threatened to draw up a protocol under Article 20.2 of the Administrative Offenses Code (Violation of the established procedure for organisation or holding a meeting, rally, demonstration, march or picket).

It should be noted that Ronald Ayrapetyan was detained by police by the Kislovodsk Mayor’s Office on June 26, during his single picket (such pickets do not require any permissions from the authorities) with a placard against changing the Constitution and “resetting” the presidential terms. After a “conversation” with threats in the police office he was released without a protocol being drawn up. The police tried to exert pressure on the activist.

After his single picket Ronald Ayrapetyan received threats from unidentified persons. The activist found a note with threats in his postbox on 8 July. The note ran that if Ronald Ayrapetyan came out again to protest against Putin, he would go to jail. Later Ayrapetyan was sacked from work for his political stance.

The Yabloko party conducted a nation-wide campaign against the “reset” of the presidential terms of Vladimir Putin. Yabloko activists faced pressure on behalf of the law enforcement during campaigning.