Far from Moscow, prison sentences ignite the powder for regional dissidents

According to the exclusive NGO OVD-Info, an organization classified as a “foreign agent” by the Russian state, demonstrators in Baymak in the Republic of Bashkortostan were dispersed with tear gas while around twenty people were arrested. The Republic of Bashkortostan is a subject of the Russian Federation, located in Eastern European Russia between the Volga and Ural Mountains. Its capital is the city of Ufa, located 1,519 km from Moscow

Fifteen years in prison?

About 6,000 people protested in front of the court where activist File Alsinov was on trial, the organization said. In a video posted on social media, a crowd of people dressed warmly can be seen throwing snowballs with shields at police in -20 degree Celsius weather, with others chanting: “Shameful! “

Demonstrators are shown coughing heavily and wiping their eyes after law enforcement fired tear gas in the city of about 17,000 residents, which is located far from Kazakhstan. Protesters now face up to 15 years in prison if charged with participating in a “riot.” According to OVD-Info, which documents demonstrations and arrests in Russia and helps protesters, “dozens of people have been injured” and access to mobile internet has been “almost” completely cut off at the site.

Such outbursts of street anger have become extremely rare in Russia, where any criticism of the authorities can be punished with imprisonment. The previous large-scale movement in the streets dates back to the fall of 2022, at the time of the mobilization campaign of thousands of reservists, civilians, to strengthen the ranks of the army stationed in Ukraine.

“Fight for Justice”

Fayl Alsinov, an activist who particularly fights against the exploitation of energy resources in Bashkortostan and who condemned Russian aggression in Ukraine, was sentenced to four years in prison for “inciting hatred” in Baymak earlier Wednesday. The verdict was delivered behind closed doors, prompting thousands of his supporters to demonstrate in front of the court.

The case dates back to last year: in a speech against the exploitation of gold mines, Alsinov used two words in the local language Bashkir, which the authorities described as racist. The activist has since claimed that his remarks were poorly translated into Russian: “I do not admit my guilt. I have always fought for justice, for my people, for my republic,” he reiterated after the verdict was announced. “We will appeal.”

In its ruling, the Baymak court ruled that Alsinov’s remarks were intended to “contempt and humiliate the dignity of a group of people based on race, nationality, language or origin.”

“Not our war”

The region’s home ministry on Tuesday called for its part not to demonstrate in front of the court, which is a “punishable by law” offence, it recalled in a press release. The call to order from the authorities came a day after the first large-scale demonstration in support of Fell Alsinov in Baymak, during which several hundred people demanded from President Vladimir Putin, according to a video on social networks, the resignation of regional governor Reddy Khabirov, who criticized the activist. .

“We are not extremists!” We are not Nazis! », shouted the man standing on the snow pile. “We want the law to be respected! »