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2024 Bashkortostan protests

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2024 Bashkortostan protests
Date15–19 January 2024
(4 days)
Location
Bashkortostan, Russia
(Baymak and Ufa)
Caused byImprisonment of Fail Alsynov
Goals
  • Release of Fail Alsynov
  • Release of detained protesters[1]
  • Resignation of Bashkir Head Radiy Khabirov[2]
Methods
Resulted in
Parties

Bashkir protestors

Lead figures
Casualties and losses

Unknown

One person killed

Unknown

Several people arrested

The 2024 Bashkortostan protests (Bashkir: Башҡортостанда протесттар, romanized: Bashqortostanda protesttar) are a series of protests started on 15 January 2024 beginning in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia, sparked by the authorities initiating a criminal case against the Bashkir environmental activist Fail Alsynov, who was subsequently sentenced to four years in prison. This led to demonstrations in the town of Baymak, where at least 1,000 Bashkir protesters assembled. The protests resulted in clashes with the riot police, who in response deployed tear gas and batons against the protesters.[8][9] The protests spread into the regional capital of Ufa on 19 January, where 10 people were arrested in response.[10]

Due to the growing protests in Bashkortostan, messaging services WhatsApp and Telegram were allegedly blocked across the region, as messages sent by users from major cities such as Moscow, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, and Saint Petersburg failed to deliver. Most of the failed messages were from the city of Ufa, which is estimated to comprise 22% of all messages in the country, according to the data provided by the Downdetector service.[11][12]

Background

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In April 2023, Bashkir environmental activist Fail Alsynov participated in protests in the village of Ishmurzino, Baymaksky District, Bashkortostan, opposing geological exploration work within the Irendik mountain range.[13][14]

In May 2023, the Head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, asked deputies of the local parliament, the Kurultai, to propose an initiative to transfer to Russian regions the authority to issue licenses for the extraction of gold using the alluvial (placer) method. Khabirov said:[15][16]

For quite a long time we have been concerned about the situation with gold mining in a number of areas of the Trans-Urals using the alluvial method. Residents of the republic and heads of municipalities learn that a license for gold mining has been issued when the first equipment appears. And people are very outraged by this. I propose something that concerns specifically the issuance of licenses for the extraction of gold using the alluvial method, and this is sometimes the most barbaric method of unscrupulous licensees... I ask you to come up with a proposal to transfer these powers to the level of the constituent entities of Russia, in this case, to our republic. Really, I can't say it any other way, I'm tired of it all.

Following Alsynov's public speech to Ishmurzino residents in October 2023, Radiy Khabirov issued a personal statement against Alsynov. Khabirov accused Alsynov of delivering a speech with negative content about the ethnicities of Armenians, Caucasians, and Central Asians during the April 2023 rally organized in defense of the lands of the Bashkir Trans-Urals from mining (migrant workers from outside Bashkortostan were planned to be employed in mining operations,[17] some of which Alysnov believes are illicit[18]). The rally aimed to prevent resource extraction due to negative perceptions of companies and organizers affiliated with the Bashkir government, who faced backlash from local residents.[17]

In early 2024, the prosecutor's office imposed a four-year prison term on Alsynov for "inciting hatred on ethnic grounds". Closed court hearings took place, accompanied by rallies involving thousands of supporters of Alsynov in his defense.[19]

Protests

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On 15 January 2024, the town of Baymak hosted the third court hearing, during which the verdict announcement was scheduled for 17 January. Approximately 1,000–5,000 individuals, according to various estimates, attended the trial proceedings to show support for Alsynov.[20]

On 16 January 2024, Alsynov was added to the "list of extremists".[21]

On 17 January 2024, the Baymaksky District Court of Bashkortostan found Alsynov guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison. This decision led to violent skirmishes outside the courthouse, and clashes with security forces persisted for several days. Several protest participants and supporters were detained.[22][23] Protest estimates suggested a turnout of about 10,000 demonstrators in the relatively populated town of Baymak,[24] which has an approximate population of 17,710 (2010 Census);[25]

An unsanctioned rally occurred in Salavat Yulayev Square in the Bashkir capital of Ufa on 19 January 2024. The National Guard and OMON riot police were deployed against a crowd of approximately 2,000 people. The protest took an unusual form, with participants engaging in folk dance, circling, and singing songs in the Bashkir language.[26] A group holding posters that read кара халык (transl. Common Person) was detained early in the rally and forcefully placed into police buses.[27] Rally participants reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to block the road and prevent the police bus carrying detainees from leaving.[28] In total, 10 people were detained.[29]

Aftermath

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On 20 January 2024, a picket in support of Alsynov and Bashkir protesters occurred in Khabarovsk. Participants rallied for the release of all political prisoners, including former Khabarovsk Krai governor Sergei Furgal.[30]

Reactions

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Radiy Khabirov, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, pledged not to tolerate extremism and any attempts to undermine the situation in the region. He stated, "You can put on the mask of a good environmental activist, a patriot, but in reality the situation is not at all like that. A group of people, some of whom are abroad, essentially being traitors, are calling for the separation of Bashkortostan from Russia. They are calling for guerrilla warfare here. This includes Ruslan Gabbasov."[31] Khabirov also characterized the decision to recognize the political party Bashkort [ru; uk] as an extremist organization as the "right decision".[32]

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the situation in a press call, rejecting the characterization of mass riots or protests in Bashkortostan. He clarified, "There are some manifestations that are more likely to be exclusively within the competence of local authorities and law enforcement agencies. But I categorically disagree that they are massive."[33][34]

Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann characterized the police response in Baymak as a type of "administrative dysfunction". She noted that such incidents contribute to regional grievances and could pose risks for the Russian authorities ahead of the 2024 Russian presidential election, especially about ethnic tensions.[35]

Russian-Bashkir rapper Morgenshtern supported the protest. He posted the image of Salawat Yulayev on social networks, who is widely considered a national hero of the republic.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ахметова, Дания (17 January 2024). "«Государство наше – террорист»: в Баймаке не думают прекращать протест". Arbat Media (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. ^ Мельникова, Ирина (15 January 2024). "«Хабирова в отставку!»: протестующие против суда над Алсыновым* обратились к Путину". Prufy.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  3. ^ Бирюков, Андрей (22 January 2024). "В Башкирии снова заработали Telegram и WhatsApp*". ufa1.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  4. ^ Абдулова, Азалия (23 January 2024). "Башкирия осталась без лидеров протеста, там продолжаются задержания". newizv.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  5. ^ "Statement of the Bashkir national movement abroad". Anti-imperial Block of Nations. 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  6. ^ "МВД предупредило об ответственности за участие в несанкционированных акциях". Bashinform (in Russian). 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  7. ^ Ахметова, Дания (17 January 2024). "«Государство наше – террорист»: в Баймаке не думают прекращать протест". Arbat Media (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  8. ^ Greenall, Robert (17 January 2024). "Russia protest: Crowds clash with riot police as activist jailed". BBC. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Russia protest: crowds clash with riot police as activist jailed – video". The Guardian. Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  10. ^ Davies, Alys (19 January 2024). "Bashkortostan protests against jail term reach regional capital Ufa". Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ "В Башкирии сотни людей пришли к суду поддержать активиста, защищавшего шихан Куштау". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 16 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  12. ^ Санкт-Петербург Live. "У россиян сбоит WhatsApp на фоне массовых протестов в Башкирии". VK. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  13. ^ Ларина, Анастасия (17 January 2024). "Башкирского активиста Фаиля Алсынова приговорили к четырем годам колонии". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  14. ^ Мельникова, Ирина (16 January 2024). "От Куштау до Баймака. Кто такой Фаиль Алсынов* и против чего он выступает?". Prufy.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  15. ^ Kazantsev, Vladislav (25 May 2023). "Хабиров попросил передать Башкирии полномочия по выдаче лицензий на добычу золота". Komsomol'skaya Pravda (in Russian). Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  16. ^ Shipilova, Vlada (25 May 2023). "Радий Хабиров попросил передать Башкирии полномочия по выдаче лицензий на добычу золота". Kommersant (in Russian). Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  17. ^ a b RFE/RL's Idel.Realities (12 October 2023). "Former Leader Of Banned Group In Russia's Bashkortostan Faces Charge Of Inciting Hatred". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Archived from the original on 12 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  18. ^ Idel.Реалии (12 October 2023). ""Дело — заказное". Активиста из Уфы Фаиля Алсынова обвиняют в "возбуждении ненависти" к жителям Кавказа, в частности к армянам". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  19. ^ "В Башкортостане около тысячи человек вышли на акцию в защиту активиста Фаиля Алсынова. Они потребовали отправить в отставку главу республики". Meduza (in Russian). 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  20. ^ "В Башкирии сотни людей пришли к суду поддержать активиста, защищавшего шихан Куштау". BBC News Русская служба (in Russian). 15 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Башкирского активиста Фаиля Алсынова внесли в перечень "экстремистов"". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Russian). 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 18 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  22. ^ "В Башкортостане после массовой акции задержали четырех сторонников экоактивиста Фаиля Алсынова – его судят по делу о "разжигании вражды"". Current Time TV (in Russian). 16 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  23. ^ Лебедева, Ольга (16 January 2024). "В Башкортостане задержали сторонников экоактивиста Алсынова". dw.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  24. ^ Motyl, Alexander J. (26 January 2024). "Russia's Future: Putin Might Be Destined to Fall from Power". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 31 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  25. ^ Russian Federal State Statistics Service (2011). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года. Том 1 [2010 All-Russian Population Census, vol. 1]. Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года [2010 All-Russia Population Census] (in Russian). Federal State Statistics Service.
  26. ^ "Митинг в Уфе сегодня 19 января: танцы на площади Салавата Юлаева, «кара халык», задержания, последние новости". omvesti.ru (in Russian). 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 22 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  27. ^ "В Уфе задержали девушку с табличкой "Кара Халык" на спине. За эту фразу осудили Фаиля Алсынова". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (in Russian). 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  28. ^ "Участники митинга в Уфе попытались остановить автобус с задержанными". mkset.ru (in Russian). 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  29. ^ Музычук, Анастасия (19 January 2024). "В Уфе прошел митинг в поддержку активиста Алчинова. СМИ пишут о задержаниях". RTVI (in Russian). Archived from the original on 20 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  30. ^ "Хабаровск: жители поддержали протестующих в Башкирии". Сибирь.Реалии (in Russian). 20 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  31. ^ "Глава Башкирии прокомментировал несанкционированные акции в республике". Ведомости (in Russian). 18 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  32. ^ "Глава Башкирии Хабиров о беспорядках в Баймаке: группа лиц призывает к отделению Башкортостана от России и партизанской войне". fontanka.ru (in Russian). 18 January 2024. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  33. ^ "В Кремле не считают события в Башкирии массовыми беспорядками". interfax.ru (in Russian). 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  34. ^ "Дмитрий Песков: в Башкирии нет массовых беспорядков". Коммерсантъ (in Russian). 19 January 2024. Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  35. ^ Стрельников, Алексей (17 January 2024). "Задержания в Башкортостане – "дисфункция" в год выборов?". dw.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  36. ^ Протесты в Башкирии: стычки с ОМОНом, аресты и обвинения Украины | Новости России (in Russian), 18 January 2024, archived from the original on 26 January 2024, retrieved 21 January 2024
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