Nikolai Rybakov, leader of the liberal Yabloko party, has urged supporters to avoid public demonstrations in the party's support, saying Yabloko is not holding and does not plan to hold any public actions in Russian cities because they could endanger participants.
"I ask you not to fall for provocations and to continue supporting us in other ways — as you know how to do — with your comments, publications, volunteering, donations and other legal and safer methods," Rybakov wrote on his Telegram channel, as quoted by Novaya Gazeta Europe.
The appeal follows reports that unknown individuals created a fake account in the name of Kirill Goncharov, head of Yabloko's Moscow branch, urging people to attend rallies near major churches to mark the Orthodox feast of Yabloko Spas (Apple Savior). Goncharov stressed that the party had not called for street actions.
Earlier this week, security officers approached people gathered outside the Supreme Court during a hearing on a lawsuit filed by the Rodina party against Yabloko and issued warnings about the inadmissibility of participating in rallies. Moscow police also detained at least three people who came to the courthouse while Rybakov was filing an appeal. Later, on Pushkin Square, police detained a suspected participant in a picket in support of Yabloko and three journalists; the latter were released without charges.
The Supreme Court is set to consider Yabloko's appeal against its removal from the State Duma election ballot. On the same day, the Pskov City Court is to announce a verdict in the trial of Lev Shlosberg, the party's deputy chairman, who is accused of "discrediting" the armed forces.
Last week, a crowd of several hundred people — mostly aged around 20 or younger — gathered outside the Supreme Court building and greeted Rybakov with applause. Videos featuring the politician have drawn hundreds of thousands of views on social media.