BAIMAK, Russia -- Thousands of people gathered on a central square of the city of Baimak in Russia's Bashkortostan region on January 15 to demand the acquittal of activist Fail Alsynov, who is on trial on a charge of inciting hatred, which he and his supporters reject as politically motivated.
Many of the protesters were sitting in cars, while thousands stood outside despite freezing temperatures, chanting, "Free Fail Alsynov," "Fail, we are with you," and "We are ordinary people and there will be more of us."
The protesters read out a statement to President Vladimir Putin requesting he fire Bashkortostan's leader, Radiy Khabirov.
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Thousands Rally To Support Charged Activist In Russia’s Bashkortostan
The protest took place as a local court resumed Alsynov's trial, holding closing arguments and hearing Alsynov's last statement.
The trial is being held behind closed doors.
The court announced that on January 17 it will pronounce its verdict and sentence of the ex-leader of the banned Bashqort group, which for years promoted the Bashkir language and culture.
Last week, prosecutors asked the court to convict Alsynov and sentence him to four years in prison.
The charge against Alsynov stems from a speech he gave at a rally in late April 2023 in the village of Ishmurzino, where he criticized the local government's plans to start goldmining near the village, as it would bring in migrant laborers.
Investigators say Alsynov's speech "negatively assessed people in the Caucasus and Central Asia, humiliating their human dignity."
The investigation of Alsynov was initiated by Khabirov, who accused the activist of inciting ethnic hatred as well as "calling for anti-government rallies and extremist activities" and "discrediting the Russian armed forces."
In the end, Alsynov was charged only with inciting hatred.
Bashkortostan's Supreme Court banned Alsynov's Bashqort group in May 2020, declaring it "extremist."
Bashqort was banned after staging several rallies and other events challenging the policies of both local and federal authorities, including Moscow's move to abolish mandatory indigenous-language classes in regions with large populations of indigenous ethnic groups.