Protesters in Rural Russia Demand Release of Indigenous Campaigner
In a display of solidarity, over 1,500 demonstrators gathered in the center of Ufa, the regional capital of rural Russia, demanding the release of indigenous campaigner Fayil Alsynov. Alsynov was recently sentenced to four years in prison, sparking outrage among activists and locals alike.
The protesters, undeterred by police warnings against participating in an unsanctioned demonstration, filled Salawat Yulayev Square in central Ufa. Chanting and dancing, they called for Alsynov’s release and questioned the state of freedom of expression in their country. One protester boldly declared, “Everyone can express their opinion. Are we under a fascist regime?”
Despite the police’s efforts to disperse the gathering after three hours, at least 10 individuals were detained. The crowd responded with cries of “Shame!” Independent Russian news outlets SOTAvision and Verstka reported similar attendance figures for the demonstration, highlighting the widespread support for Alsynov’s cause.
This protest follows a similar demonstration that took place on Wednesday outside the courthouse in Baymak, where Alsynov was sentenced. The consecutive protests are a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been cracking down on dissent since the country’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. The timing of these demonstrations, just two months before Russian elections, adds to the political significance of the events.
Fayil Alsynov, 37, rose to prominence through his campaign against limestone mining in Kushtau, a site considered sacred by locals. His recent sentencing focused on a speech he delivered in 2023 at an anti-illegal mining rally in Bashkir. In his speech, Alsynov expressed his frustration that while Bashkirs were fighting for the Russian military in Ukraine, their lands in Bashkortostan were being taken away. The use of the term “kara halyk,” meaning “common people” in Bashkir but literally translating to “black people,” was interpreted by Governor Radiy Khabirov as an insult to workers from the Caucasus and Central Asia. Khabirov initiated legal proceedings against Alsynov, which many local activists perceive as retribution for his activism.
The sentencing of Alsynov sparked protests in Baymak on Wednesday, during which security forces resorted to tear gas and batons to disperse the demonstrators. According to Russian state media RIA, 17 arrests were made during the clashes. Governor Khabirov, on Thursday, accused the protest organizers of “betrayal” and “extremism,” alleging that they were advocating for Bashkortostan’s separation from Russia.
Despite the growing unrest, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the events, stating, “There are no mass riots and mass protests.” However, the sheer number of demonstrators and the determination they displayed suggest otherwise.
The situation surrounding Fayil Alsynov’s imprisonment and the subsequent protests highlights the ongoing struggle for indigenous rights and freedom of expression in Russia. As tensions rise in the lead-up to the upcoming elections, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these demonstrations and whether they will have any impact on the fate of Alsynov and his cause.
Sergey Goryashko is hosted at POLITICO under the EU-funded EU4FreeMedia residency program.
