Current:Home > BackHundreds protest and clash with police in a Russian region after an activist is sentenced to prison-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Hundreds protest and clash with police in a Russian region after an activist is sentenced to prison
View Date:2024-12-23 23:20:16
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Hundreds of protesters clashed with police in the Russian region of Bashkortostan on Wednesday in a rare display of public outrage after a court convicted a local activist and sentenced him to prison, media reports and rights groups said.
The unrest — one of the largest reported demonstrations since the war in Ukraine began in 2022 — erupted amid the trial this week of Fail Alsynov in the town of Baymak, about 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) southeast of Moscow, in the southern Ural Mountains.
Several thousand people had gathered outside the courthouse to support Alsynov, who was convicted of inciting hatred and sentenced to four years in prison, according to OVD-Info, a Russian rights group that tracks political arrests and offers legal aid.
Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, which chanted “Fail, we stand with you!” along with “Freedom!” and “Disgrace!” They demanded the ouster of Bashkortostan’s governor and hurled snowballs at officers, OVD-Info and local media reported. Dozens of people were detained and injured, OVD-Info said.
Alsynov was a leader of a group that advocated for preserving the Bashkir language and culture, and protested limestone and gold mining operations in the region. The group, called Bashkort, was outlawed as extremist in 2020.
He faced charges after a speech last year in an unsanctioned rally against gold mining, Russian independent news outlet Mediazona reported.
Bashkortostan Gov. Radiy Khabirov reportedly personally filed a complaint against Alsynov, alleging the speech denigrated other nationalities and fomented anti-government actions.
Alsynov maintained his innocence, telling the RusNews outlet after the sentencing that he has “always fought for justice, for my people, for my republic.”
Hundreds — and possibly thousands — of Alsynov’s supporters initially gathered Monday in front of the courthouse when closing arguments were delivered in the case. Russian independent news outlet Agentstvo reported Monday that it was one of the biggest protests in Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, which has brought about more restrictive laws and an intensified crackdown on dissent.
The demonstrators returned to the courthouse Wednesday for the sentencing. Video posted by Russian media showed crowds facing off with riot police in a snowy rural landscape.
Russia’s top law enforcement agency, the Investigative Committee, said it opened a criminal case on the charges of fomenting mass riots and assaulting police officers.
Several social media pages that reported on the protests or served as a platform for the local community have been blocked, according to Meduza, a popular Russian independent news outlet.
The protests come just two months ahead of a presidential election that is widely expected to give Vladimir Putin his fifth term in office.
Putin, 71, is able to run again after 24 years in power due to a constitutional reform he orchestrated in 2020, which reset presidential term limits. With the opposition largely suppressed and independent media banned or restricted, his reelection is all but assured.
There was no immediate comment on the protests from the Kremlin.
Putin is running as an independent candidate and not on a party ticket, and is required to collect at least 300,000 signatures in support of his candidacy. His campaign office reported Wednesday that 2.5 million signatures have already been collected.
veryGood! (5697)
Related
- Tennessee suspect in dozens of rapes is convicted of producing images of child sex abuse
- Budget-Friendly Dorm Room Decor: Stylish Ideas Starting at $11
- Family of man killed by Connecticut police officer files lawsuit, seeks federal probe of department
- See Travis Kelce Make His Acting Debut in Terrifying Grotesquerie Teaser
- Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- Planning a Girls’ Night Out in NYC? Here’s What You Need to Make It Happen
- 'RuPaul's Drag Race Global All Stars': Premiere date, cast, where to watch and stream
- Collin Gosselin claims he was discharged from Marines due to institutionalization by mom Kate
- LSU student arrested over threats to governor who wanted a tiger at college football games
- Jordan Chiles Olympic Medal Controversy: USA Gymnastics Reveal Further Issues With Ruling
Ranking
- Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Introduces Adorable New Family Member
- Georgia mayor faces felony charges after investigators say he stashed alcohol in ditch for prisoners
- Australian Olympic Committee hits out at criticism of controversial breaker Rachael Gunn
- The State Fair of Texas is banning firearms, drawing threats of legal action from Republican AG
- Statue of the late US Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, is unveiled in his native Alabama
- Infamous LA officer’s gun found in $1 million watch robbery case
- Candace Cameron Bure remembers playing 'weird' evil witch on 'Boy Meets World'
- Massachusetts governor signs law phasing out toxic PFAS in firefighters’ gear
Recommendation
-
Burger King's 'Million Dollar Whopper' finalists: How to try and vote on your favorite
-
PHOTO COLLECTION: AP Top Photos of the Day Thursday August 15, 2024
-
Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey announce engagement with new photos
-
2nd man charged in 2012 killing of retired Indiana farmer who was shot to death in his home
-
Trading wands for whisks, new Harry Potter cooking show brings mess and magic
-
A rarely seen deep sea fish is found in California, and scientists want to know why
-
Lady Gaga’s Brunette Hair Transformation Will Have You Applauding
-
Yankees star Aaron Judge becomes fastest player to 300 home runs in MLB history