Russian election authorities have barred the liberal political party Yabloko from competing in local elections March 11 in the city of St. Petersburg.
Election Commission official Dmitry Krasnyansky was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying nearly 12 percent of the signatures submitted in support of Yabloko's candidates have been declared invalid by authorities -- more than the maximum 10 percent allowed.
Yabloko official Maksim Reznik told Reuters the party believes it was barred because it is in opposition to the current St. Petersburg authorities.
He told a news conference the party will appeal the decision on January 30 or 31.
In Moscow, about 100 protesters gathered outside the Kremlin to denounce the ban.
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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