The Other Russia, an opposition party created by outspoken Kremlin foe Eduard Limonov, was denied registration by the Justice Ministry in a decision that Limonov on Wednesday called “repressive”.
Ten clauses of the party's charter violate the federal law on political parties, a ministry spokesman said Wednesday by telephone on a customary condition of anonymity. He refused to elaborate.
Another spokesman told RIA-Novosti that an official reply was sent to The Other Russia, which now may either edit the charter and resubmit registration papers or appeal the rejection in court.
A Moscow Times inquiry to the ministry for more information went unanswered.
The Other Russia has not received the ministry's rejection papers and will appeal after obtaining them, party co-leader Alexander Averin wrote on his blog.
Limonov said on his blog that he was not surprised by the "repressive decision" from a "repressive body."
He also said he had information that the ministry would reject registration requests by five other newly formed parties, including the Party of People's Freedom co-led by liberal politicians Boris Nemtsov and Mikhail Kasyanov; Rodina-2 led by leftist economist Mikhail Delyagin; and Rot Front, co-headed by leftist opposition leader Sergei Udaltsov.
Rot Front was denied registration three times last year and submitted registration papers for a fourth time on Dec. 28. The law obliges the Justice Ministry to review such requests within a month.
Legislature elections will take place several regions in March, followed by the State Duma vote in December.
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