Bashkir Singer Who Supported Incarcerated Activist in Bashkortostan Flees Russia

Bashkir singer Altynai Valitov, who openly protested the incarceration of activist Fail Alsynov in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan, wrote on Instagram on January 25 that he fled Russia fearing for his safety. Last week, police searched Valitov's home. About a dozen Bashkir activists were arrested and charged with taking part in mass unrest after they attended two rallies last week in the town of Baimak in support of Alsynov, who was handed a four-year prison term for inciting to "ethnic hatred," a charge he and his supporters say is politically motivated. Valitov did not say where he fled to. To read the original story Idel.Realities, click here.