Judge Alevtina Kuznetsova of the Vyborg District Court of St. Petersburg issued the fine, according to a Mediazona correspondent reporting from the courtroom.
The protocol states that on election day Rybakov spoiled four ballots, thereby showing "disrespect for society" and damaging "state property." On each ballot he wrote "Yabloko" and anti-war statements: "for peace," "for freedom," "for a ceasefire agreement" and "for life without fear."
Rybakov did not attend the hearing. At a previous hearing he confirmed he had made the inscriptions but disputed the classification of his actions as hooliganism. "I showed no disrespect for the society of which I am a part. Through my actions I demonstrated my political position, which I have held my entire life," his written testimony said.
According to the politician, his ballots were invalidated after the inscriptions, but more than 900,000 voters did the same. He noted that such a position is provided for by law and asked not to be held liable. The charge carried a penalty of up to 15 days' arrest.
Rybakov voted on September 20 in the presence of journalists. The Yabloko party itself did not take part in the State Duma elections on party lists: the Supreme Court issued a decision to remove it on August 10. Witnesses Natalya Burak and Mark Burak, members of the precinct election commission, confirmed they saw Rybakov at the polling station with journalists.