Opposition Goes to Court

July 17, 2011

The opposition Party of People’s Freedom appealed to a court Friday to reverse the Justice Ministry’s refusal to register it for State Duma elections in December.

Vladimir Ryzhkov, one of four co-leaders of the party, told Ekho Moskvy radio that he has “no illusions” about winning the court hearing. Even if the party wins, it won’t have a chance to participate at the Duma elections, he said.

When the ministry denied registration last month, Ryzhkov said he saw no use in appealing.

The party was denied registration for purportedly submitting a membership list with dead and underage members. Its leaders have asked President Dmitry Medvedev to intervene. Medvedev suggested that the party fix the cited violations and refile its registration application with the Justice Ministry.

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