Russian opposition party runs its youth director for parliament, in the hopes of rescuing him from military service

The opposition political party “Parnas” has added Mikhail Konev, the former head of its youth branch, to its party ticket in the upcoming State Duma elections. Konev was drafted into the Russian Army this spring.

“According to the law, the commander of [Konev's] military unit has to publish the order and provide him with leave for the duration of the election campaign,” said Mikhail Kasyanov, the chairman of Parnas.

Parnas is running a total of 281 candidates nationally in 49 different regions. Konev will head the party's local ticket in Smolensk.

• Mikhail Konev was first handed his summons to report for conscription in November 2015, while in the custody of Russia's anti-extremism police. His service began on May 8, 2016. Parnas officials believe he was drafted illegally, insofar as he has a medical exemption from military service. On June 3, a court rejected Konev's appeal to have his conscription overturned. His lawyers say they intend to appeal the ruling.