In an unusual display of public outrage, hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan following the conviction and imprisonment of local activist Fail Alsynov, according to media reports and rights groups.
The unrest, occurring in the town of Baymak, approximately 870 miles southeast of Moscow, marked one of the largest reported demonstrations since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Alsynov was convicted of inciting hatred and sentenced to four years in prison, sparking outrage among supporters who had gathered outside the courthouse.
The crowd, numbering several thousand, chanted in support of Alsynov and demanded the removal of Bashkortostan's governor. The police responded with teargas and batons, leading to the dispersal of the crowd. Chants of "Fail, we stand with you!" and calls for "Freedom!" and "Disgrace!" resonated as protesters hurled snowballs at officers. Dozens of people were detained and injured during the clashes.
Alsynov, a leader of the outlawed group Bashkort, which advocated for preserving the Bashkir language and culture, faced charges related to a speech at an unsanctioned rally against gold mining last year. The group was declared extremist in 2020 for protesting limestone and gold mining operations in the region.
Governor Radiy Khabirov filed a complaint against Alsynov, accusing him of denigrating other nationalities and inciting anti-government actions. Despite the conviction, Alsynov maintained his innocence, stating that he had always fought for justice and the well-being of his people.
The protests, reported as one of the largest in Russia since the Ukraine invasion, come just two months before the presidential election, widely expected to secure Vladimir Putin's fifth term in office. The Kremlin has not provided immediate comments on the protests.
Russia's top law enforcement agency, the Investigative Committee, announced the opening of a criminal case on charges of fomenting mass riots and assaulting police officers. Additionally, several social media pages reporting on the protests or serving as a platform for the local community have been blocked, according to the Russian independent news outlet Meduza.