Russia's Supreme Court barred the anti-war Yabloko party from the September parliamentary elections on Monday, ruling in favor of the pro-Kremlin Rodina party's allegations that Yabloko received foreign funding and promoted extremist ideas. The decision came after the court heard Rodina's lawsuit seeking to exclude the only party openly opposing the war in Ukraine.
The UN human rights office called Wednesday on Russian authorities to lift the ban. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the Moscow courthouse as the verdict was delivered, while about 40 party activists face criminal proceedings. Yabloko leader Nikolai Rybakov announced plans to appeal.
Founded in 1993, Yabloko polled at just 3 percent earlier this year, below the 5 percent threshold needed for State Duma representation. Interest in the party has surged 90 percent in online searches since the ban.