A court in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan on November 19 sentenced activist Marat Sharafutdinov, the final defendant in the high-profile Karmaskaly case, to nine years in prison.
The court found Sharafutdinov guilty of preparing to commit hooliganism on ethnic grounds and organizing an extremist organization's activities.
Investigators said the defendant was affiliated with the Bashqort organization that for decades promoted Bashkir language and culture but was banned in Russia and designated as extremist in May 2020.
The case dates back to November 7, 2020, when police and special forces detained about 50 Bashkir activists in the Karmaskaly district.
SEE ALSO: Bashkortostan Protests Peel Back The Layers Of Authoritarian Politics In Putin's RussiaThe reasons for the detentions remain disputed: Some sources claim the activists were attempting to mediate a conflict with the local Armenian community, while others suggest they were traveling to celebrate a holiday.
While in detention, several activists filed complaints with the Investigative Committee, alleging illegal actions by police and special forces.
However, in December 2020, the Investigative Committee declined to open a case, citing a lack of evidence of police wrongdoing.
Following additional complaints to the Prosecutor General’s Office, the case materials were sent for further review, but no substantive action was taken.
In January 2021, authorities conducted additional searches and detentions. Law enforcement alleged that weapons and ammunition, including a sawed-off shotgun and gunpowder, were found during the raids. Activists and their families claimed these items were planted by the authorities.
Sharafutdinov was detained on January 13, 2021. His lawyers later stated he had been subjected to violence during interrogations, including blows to the head. In August 2021, Sharafutdinov was reportedly sent to a psychiatric hospital in Bashkortostan for "treatment" due to an alleged "exacerbation of illness."
His case was separated into individual proceedings in August 2021 and subsequently suspended. It was reopened by early 2023, with the trial beginning in August of that year. The hearings were delayed multiple times for various reasons, including Sharafutdinov's health issues.
Other defendants in the Karmaskaly case previously received suspended sentences. However, Sharafutdinov's trial ended with a nine-year prison sentence. His defense team has said it will appeal.
Sharafutdinov’s relatives and supporters have described the sentence as unjust.
Bashkir activists fear the case, along with other high-profile prosecutions, could pave the way for broader crackdowns on former members of Bashqort.
The case has drawn significant public attention, highlighting ongoing tensions between activists and authorities in Bashkortostan.