In the Sverdlovsk region, security forces carried out searches at the home of Maxim Petlin, the chair of Yabloko’s regional branch, the party’s press service said. According to sources cited by Novaya-Europe, Petlin was also detained and taken to a police station.
The first report about the searches at Petlin’s home came from the pro-government Telegram channel UralLIVE. In its post, the politician was described as the organizer of an “evening in honor of terrorists.” This is how the channel’s authors referred to events devoted to writing letters to political prisoners.
In addition, party activist Yegor Tkachenko was detained in Yekaterinburg. A search was conducted at his home, police seized his phone and laptop, and then took him away in an unknown direction. There is currently no contact with him.
Yabloko’s press service stressed that it has no information about any charges being brought against Petlin or Tkachenko.
Pressure on Yabloko. Earlier, at least nine Yabloko members from different regions of Russia faced administrative or criminal pressure. They include, among others, Lev Shlosberg, Alexander Shishlov, Maxim Kruglov, and others.
This trend is being observed amid preparations for the elections. In September this year, elections will be held for State Duma deputies, the heads of ten Russian regions, and regional deputies in 39 federal subjects.
According to data from the state analytical center VTsIOM, United Russia’s rating has fallen to 27.3%. Yabloko’s electoral rating is about 3%. At the same time, 15% of respondents surveyed in February said they could consider voting for Yabloko.
The party also believes the pressure is linked to the upcoming elections.