Full Breakdown
Yabloko Barred from September Duma Ballot as Deputy Chair Lev Shlosberg Sentenced to 11 Years
8/19/2026, 11:15:14 PM
Court Rulings Target Yabloko and Lev Shlosberg
On August 17, a Pskov court sentenced Lev Shlosberg, deputy chairman of the liberal Yabloko party, to 11 years and one month in a penal colony for “discrediting” the Russian armed forces and spreading “false information.” The same day, Russia’s Supreme Court rejected Yabloko’s appeal against a decision that removed the party’s federal candidate list from the State Duma ballot for the September 18-20 elections. The rulings mark the latest coordinated legal actions against the party that opposes the war in Ukraine.
Background & Context
Yabloko, founded in 1993, is the only officially registered party that consistently calls for a ceasefire. Since the war began, it has faced legal pressure, including accusations of foreign funding and campaign-spending violations. The party’s removal follows a lawsuit filed on August 7 by the nationalist Rodina party, alleging procedural breaches.
Shlosberg, a former member of the Pskov regional legislature (2016-2021), has been designated a “foreign agent” since June 2023. Authorities cite his 2022 Telegram repost of a British Daily Mirror front page showing a bloodied Ukrainian woman beside President Vladimir Putin, and remarks during a televised debate calling for an immediate ceasefire, as the basis for the criminal charges.
Data & Statistics
- Sentence: 11 years, 1 month in a penal colony; six-year ban on website administration.
- Supreme Court decision: August 10, upholding removal of Yabloko from the ballot.
- Election dates: September 18-20.
- Detentions: reports of “several dozen” supporters detained outside the Supreme Court; other sources cite “dozens.”
- Prior penalties: 420 hours of compulsory labour (Nov 2025); foreign-agent designation (June 2023).
Official Statements & Responses
Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia director Marie Struthers called the prosecution “arbitrary” and urged release of Shlosberg and repeal of the “discrediting” law.
On-the-Ground Reports
Kirill Goncharov, head of Yabloko’s Moscow branch, said police detained “many detainees today” and that officers appeared “very nervous.” Supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court were taken to police stations; only party members, journalists and the parties involved were allowed inside the hearing.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of detainees: Euronews and Al Jazeera cite “dozens,” while RFERL specifies “at least 35.” No independent verification is available. Defence arguments claim the Telegram repost predates the “fake news” law, a point not resolved in the judgments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “His arbitrary prosecution and sentencing are blatant reprisals for exercising his right to freedom of expression to call for peace,” — Marie Struthers, Amnesty International
- “Many detainees today. We also see that the police officers are very nervous today,” — Kirill Goncharov, Yabloko Moscow branch
What’s Next
The State Duma election will proceed on September 18-20 without Yabloko on the party list, though individual candidates may still run in single-member constituencies. Yabloko plans to file a supervisory review with the Supreme Court’s presidium and consider a petition to the Constitutional Court. International human-rights groups have pledged to monitor Shlosberg’s sentence and continue advocacy against the “discrediting” provisions.
