Photo: Akhmed Abazov
Akhmed Abazov, a Yabloko candidate for the State Duma, wrote on his Telegram channel that he had been forced to withdraw from the election due to threats to his life and his family’s health. According to Abazov, United Russia members and officials in the republic were involved in pressuring him. The media outlet RusNews drew attention to Abazov’s post.
According to Abazov, a United Russia representative invited him to a meeting on September 7. Several other people were present and demanded that he withdraw his candidacy. Abazov refused and left the meeting, but over the following days, he and his family began receiving threats. He eventually agreed to withdraw from the election and moved with his family to a safe location. Abazov filed complaints with the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
Yabloko candidates in other regions have also received death threats. For example, an unknown individual sent messages to party coordinators demanding that Yabloko candidates in Kaliningrad withdraw from the election and hinting that there could be “victims.” Yabloko representatives in Mari El and Ulyanovsk Oblast also withdrew from the election under pressure.
