Rifat Dautov, a resident of Ufa, the capital of Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan, has died after police detained him last week in a village on suspicion of taking part in mass rallies protesting the imprisonment of noted Bashkir activist Fail Alsynov in mid-January. Dautov's sister, Zalia Akhmadeyeva, says she identified her brother in a morgue over the weekend. Police said Dautov died of heart problems caused by alcohol intoxication, but Akhmadeyeva insists her brother does not drink. She added that he did not take part in the rallies, which were violently dispersed by police. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here.
Man Detained Over Mass Rallies In Russia's Bashkortostan Dies In Custody
The rallies were violently dispersed by police. (illustrative photo)