"These events cannot be described as anything other than political reprisals": A search is underway at the Communist Party of the Russian Federation office in the Altai Territory.

An assistant to a Communist member of the regional legislative assembly has been detained. Lyudmila Klyushnikova Svetlana KerberShe is being questioned by Investigative Committee officers, as reported by the leader of the regional communist committee and a State Duma deputy on her Telegram channel. Maria PrusakovaKerber was accused of fraud because of her work for Klyushnikova.

“Law enforcement officers conducted a search for almost three hours in the presence of the minor daughter,” writes Prusakova. — According to her, all bank cards, cell phones, documents for the apartment and car were confiscated.”

Lyudmila Klyushnikova and Svetlana Kerber fought against local oligarchs' plans to develop a parking lot adjacent to the Glory Memorial. In June, the deputy's windows were smashed, and on November 11, unknown assailants slashed the tires of Klyushnikova's car in central Novoaltaisk. 

"These events cannot be described as anything other than political reprisals <…>. The authorities are exerting moral and administrative pressure, trying to intimidate and unsettle them in every way possible," — Prusakova believes. She linked the actions of the security forces to the elections of deputies to the Legislative Assembly. Altai the edges and the State Duma, which will be held in September 2026.

Following the 2021 elections, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) formed the largest faction in regional parliaments. The Communists also performed well in the State Duma elections, winning one seat on the party list and one in the district.