«They took my Mom away». How the Russian authorities persecute protestors in Bashkortostan

Текст на русском

Башҡортса уҡырға

The protests started after Fail Alsynov’s trial on 15 January. Thousands of people come to Baymak (a small town in Bashkortostan) to support the activist. Alsynov is among the most important figures in Bashkortostan: in 2020 he defended Kushtau — a mountain sacred to the indigenous Bashkir — from a Russian business operation. He also served as the head of the indigenous peoples’ organisation «Bashkort».

Alsynov was charged after giving a speech against gold-mining in the Irandyk mountain range. In his speech, he used the words «kara khalyk» (meaning «common folk» but translated literally as «black people»). The criminal case was opened in a statement by the head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov. According to Alsynov, his words were mistranslated from Bashkir and were meant to refer to labourers. 

After 5,000 people arrived at the Baymak district courthouse on 15 January, the court decided not to announce the verdict. Two days later, the court sentenced Alsynov to four years in a penal colony. 10,000 protestors soon arrived at the courthouse; they were met by the police.