2024 Bashkortostan protests

In April 2023, Bashkir environmental activist Fail Alsynov participated in protests in the village of Ishmurzino, Baymaksky District, Bashkortostan, opposing geological exploration work within the Irendik mountain range.{{Cite web |last=Ларина |first=Анастасия |date=17 January 2024 |title=Башкирского активиста Фаиля Алсынова приговорили к четырем годам колонии |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6454816 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119013441/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6454816 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Коммерсантъ |language=ru}}{{Cite web |last=Мельникова |first=Ирина |date=16 January 2024 |title=От Куштау до Баймака. Кто такой Фаиль Алсынов* и против чего он выступает? |url=https://prufy.ru/news/society/145391-ot_kushtau_do_baymaka_kto_takoy_fail_alsynov_i_protiv_chego_on_vystupaet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117083146/https://prufy.ru/news/society/145391-ot_kushtau_do_baymaka_kto_takoy_fail_alsynov_i_protiv_chego_on_vystupaet/ |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Prufy.ru |language=ru}}

In May 2023, the Head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, asked deputies of the local parliament, the Kurultai, to propose an initiative to transfer to Russian regions the authority to issue licenses for the extraction of gold using the alluvial (placer) method. Khabirov said:{{cite news|last=Kazantsev|first=Vladislav|title=Хабиров попросил передать Башкирии полномочия по выдаче лицензий на добычу золота|url=https://www.ufa.kp.ru/online/news/5285220/|website=Komsomol'skaya Pravda|access-date=24 January 2024|date=25 May 2023|language=ru|archive-date=25 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125034459/https://www.ufa.kp.ru/online/news/5285220/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|title=Радий Хабиров попросил передать Башкирии полномочия по выдаче лицензий на добычу золота|website=Kommersant|language=ru|access-date=24 January 2024|date=25 May 2023|last=Shipilova|first=Vlada|url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6001587|archive-date=25 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240125034458/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6001587|url-status=live}}

{{blockquote|For quite a long time we have been concerned about the situation with gold mining in a number of areas of the Trans-Urals using the alluvial method. Residents of the republic and heads of municipalities learn that a license for gold mining has been issued when the first equipment appears. And people are very outraged by this. I propose something that concerns specifically the issuance of licenses for the extraction of gold using the alluvial method, and this is sometimes the most barbaric method of unscrupulous licensees... I ask you to come up with a proposal to transfer these powers to the level of the constituent entities of Russia, in this case, to our republic. Really, I can't say it any other way, I'm tired of it all.}}

Following Alsynov's public speech to Ishmurzino residents in October 2023, Radiy Khabirov issued a personal statement against Alsynov. Khabirov accused Alsynov of delivering a speech with negative content about the ethnicities of Armenians, Caucasians, and Central Asians during the April 2023 rally organized in defense of the lands of the Bashkir Trans-Urals from mining (migrant workers from outside Bashkortostan were planned to be employed in mining operations,{{Cite news|author=RFE/RL's Idel.Realities|date=12 October 2023 |title=Former Leader Of Banned Group In Russia's Bashkortostan Faces Charge Of Inciting Hatred |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/bashkortostan-banned-group-former-leader-inciting-hatred/32634825.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112163336/https://www.rferl.org/a/bashkortostan-banned-group-former-leader-inciting-hatred/32634825.html |archive-date=12 January 2024 |access-date=25 January 2024 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}} some of which Alysnov believes are illicit{{cite news|url=https://www.idelreal.org/a/32634677.html|date=12 October 2023|author=Idel.Реалии|language=ru|title="Дело — заказное". Активиста из Уфы Фаиля Алсынова обвиняют в "возбуждении ненависти" к жителям Кавказа, в частности к армянам|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=25 January 2024|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126032843/https://www.idelreal.org/a/32634677.html|url-status=live}}). The rally aimed to prevent resource extraction due to negative perceptions of companies and organizers affiliated with the Bashkir government, who faced backlash from local residents.

In early 2024, the prosecutor's office imposed a four-year prison term on Alsynov for "inciting hatred on ethnic grounds". Closed court hearings took place, accompanied by rallies involving thousands of supporters of Alsynov in his defense.{{Cite web |date=15 January 2024 |title=В Башкортостане около тысячи человек вышли на акцию в защиту активиста Фаиля Алсынова. Они потребовали отправить в отставку главу республики |url=https://meduza.io/feature/2024/01/15/v-bashkortostane-okolo-tysyachi-chelovek-vyshli-na-aktsiyu-v-zaschitu-aktivista-failya-alsynova-oni-potrebovali-otpravit-v-otstavku-glavu-respubliki |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119131909/https://meduza.io/feature/2024/01/15/v-bashkortostane-okolo-tysyachi-chelovek-vyshli-na-aktsiyu-v-zaschitu-aktivista-failya-alsynova-oni-potrebovali-otpravit-v-otstavku-glavu-respubliki |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Meduza |language=ru}}

On 15 January 2024, the town of Baymak hosted the third court hearing, during which the verdict announcement was scheduled for 17 January. Approximately 1,000–5,000 individuals, according to various estimates, attended the trial proceedings to show support for Alsynov.{{Cite web |date=15 January 2024 |title=В Башкирии сотни людей пришли к суду поддержать активиста, защищавшего шихан Куштау |url=https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/ce9m7p05pe0o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117112401/https://www.bbc.com/russian/articles/ce9m7p05pe0o |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=BBC News Русская служба |language=ru}}

On 16 January 2024, Alsynov was added to the "list of extremists".{{Cite web |date=16 January 2024 |title=Башкирского активиста Фаиля Алсынова внесли в перечень "экстремистов" |url=https://www.idelreal.org/a/bashkirskogo-aktivista-failya-alsynova-vnesli-v-perechen-ekstremistov-/32776575.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118051421/https://www.idelreal.org/a/bashkirskogo-aktivista-failya-alsynova-vnesli-v-perechen-ekstremistov-/32776575.html |archive-date=18 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=ru}}

On 17 January 2024, the Baymaksky District Court of Bashkortostan found Alsynov guilty and sentenced him to four years in prison. This decision led to violent skirmishes outside the courthouse, and clashes with security forces persisted for several days. Several protest participants and supporters were detained.{{Cite web |date=16 January 2024 |title=В Башкортостане после массовой акции задержали четырех сторонников экоактивиста Фаиля Алсынова – его судят по делу о "разжигании вражды" |url=https://www.currenttime.tv/a/bashkortostan-alsynov/32776991.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117100334/https://www.currenttime.tv/a/bashkortostan-alsynov/32776991.html |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=Current Time TV |language=ru}}{{Cite web |last=Лебедева |first=Ольга |date=16 January 2024 |title=В Башкортостане задержали сторонников экоактивиста Алсынова |url=https://www.dw.com/ru/v-baskortostane-zaderzali-storonnikov-ekoaktivista-alsynova/a-68005442 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117190838/https://www.dw.com/ru/v-baskortostane-zaderzali-storonnikov-ekoaktivista-alsynova/a-68005442 |archive-date=17 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024 |website=dw.com |language=ru}} Protest estimates suggested a turnout of about 10,000 demonstrators in the relatively populated town of Baymak,{{Cite web |last=Motyl |first=Alexander J. |date=2024-01-26 |title=Russia's Future: Putin Might Be Destined to Fall from Power |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-future-putin-might-be-destined-fall-power-208870 |access-date=2024-01-30 |website=The National Interest |language=en |archive-date=31 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131020556/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/russias-future-putin-might-be-destined-fall-power-208870 |url-status=live }} which has an approximate population of {{ru-census|p2010=17,710}}

An unsanctioned rally occurred in Salavat Yulayev Square in the Bashkir capital of Ufa on 19 January 2024. The National Guard and OMON riot police were deployed against a crowd of approximately 2,000 people. The protest took an unusual form, with participants engaging in folk dance, circling, and singing songs in the Bashkir language.{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-01-19 |title=Митинг в Уфе сегодня 19 января: танцы на площади Салавата Юлаева, "кара халык", задержания, последние новости |url=https://omvesti.ru/obshchestvo/miting-v-ufe-segodnya-19-yanvarya-tanczy-na-ploshhadi-salavata-yulaeva-kara-halyk-zaderzhaniya/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122135729/https://omvesti.ru/obshchestvo/miting-v-ufe-segodnya-19-yanvarya-tanczy-na-ploshhadi-salavata-yulaeva-kara-halyk-zaderzhaniya/ |archive-date=22 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=omvesti.ru |language=ru-RU}} A group holding posters that read {{lang|ba|кара халык}} ({{Translation|Common Person}}) was detained early in the rally and forcefully placed into police buses.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=В Уфе задержали девушку с табличкой "Кара Халык" на спине. За эту фразу осудили Фаиля Алсынова |url=https://www.idelreal.org/a/32783021.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119180627/https://www.idelreal.org/a/32783021.html |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty |language=ru}} Rally participants reportedly attempted unsuccessfully to block the road and prevent the police bus carrying detainees from leaving.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Участники митинга в Уфе попытались остановить автобус с задержанными |url=https://mkset.ru/news/2024-01-19/uchastniki-mitinga-v-ufe-popytalis-ostanovit-avtobus-s-zaderzhannymi-3156620 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119200427/https://mkset.ru/news/2024-01-19/uchastniki-mitinga-v-ufe-popytalis-ostanovit-avtobus-s-zaderzhannymi-3156620 |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=mkset.ru |language=ru}} In total, 10 people were detained.{{Cite web |last=Музычук |first=Анастасия |date=2024-01-19 |title=В Уфе прошел митинг в поддержку активиста Алчинова. СМИ пишут о задержаниях |url=https://rtvi.com/news/v-ufe-proshel-miting-v-podderzhku-aktivista-alchinova-smi-pishut-o-zaderzhaniyah/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120143255/https://rtvi.com/news/v-ufe-proshel-miting-v-podderzhku-aktivista-alchinova-smi-pishut-o-zaderzhaniyah/ |archive-date=20 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=RTVI |language=ru}}

On 20 January 2024, a picket in support of Alsynov and Bashkir protesters occurred in Khabarovsk. Participants rallied for the release of all political prisoners, including former Khabarovsk Krai governor Sergei Furgal.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-20 |title=Хабаровск: жители поддержали протестующих в Башкирии |url=https://www.sibreal.org/a/zhiteli-habarovska-podderzhali-protestuyuschih-v-bashkirii/32784488.html |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Сибирь.Реалии |language=ru |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124050515/https://www.sibreal.org/a/zhiteli-habarovska-podderzhali-protestuyuschih-v-bashkirii/32784488.html |url-status=live }}

Radiy Khabirov, the Head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, pledged not to tolerate extremism and any attempts to undermine the situation in the region. He stated, "You can put on the mask of a good environmental activist, a patriot, but in reality the situation is not at all like that. A group of people, some of whom are abroad, essentially being traitors, are calling for the separation of Bashkortostan from Russia. They are calling for guerrilla warfare here. This includes Ruslan Gabbasov."{{Cite news |date=2024-01-18 |title=Глава Башкирии прокомментировал несанкционированные акции в республике |url=https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2024/01/18/1015609-glava-bashkirii-prokommentiroval |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119022010/https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/news/2024/01/18/1015609-glava-bashkirii-prokommentiroval |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |work=Ведомости |language=ru}} Khabirov also characterized the decision to recognize the political party {{ill|Bashkort (organization)|lt=Bashkort|ru|Башкирская общественная организация «Башкорт»|uk|Башкорт}} as an extremist organization as the "right decision".{{Cite web |date=2024-01-18 |title=Глава Башкирии Хабиров о беспорядках в Баймаке: группа лиц призывает к отделению Башкортостана от России и партизанской войне |url=https://www.fontanka.ru/2024/01/18/73133117/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119152441/https://www.fontanka.ru/2024/01/18/73133117/ |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=2024-01-19 |website=fontanka.ru |language=ru}}

Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the situation in a press call, rejecting the characterization of mass riots or protests in Bashkortostan. He clarified, "There are some manifestations that are more likely to be exclusively within the competence of local authorities and law enforcement agencies. But I categorically disagree that they are massive."{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=В Кремле не считают события в Башкирии массовыми беспорядками |url=https://www.interfax.ru/russia/941012 |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=interfax.ru |language=ru |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124043258/https://www.interfax.ru/russia/941012 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Дмитрий Песков: в Башкирии нет массовых беспорядков |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6463971 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Коммерсантъ |language=ru |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124043258/https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6463971 |url-status=live }}

Russian political scientist Ekaterina Schulmann characterized the police response in Baymak as a type of "administrative dysfunction". She noted that such incidents contribute to regional grievances and could pose risks for the Russian authorities ahead of the 2024 Russian presidential election, especially about ethnic tensions.{{Cite web |last=Стрельников |first=Алексей |date=2024-01-17 |title=Задержания в Башкортостане – "дисфункция" в год выборов? |url=https://www.dw.com/ru/zaderzania-v-baskortostane-disfunkcia-v-god-vyborov/a-68015946 |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=dw.com |language=ru |archive-date=24 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240124012816/https://www.dw.com/ru/zaderzania-v-baskortostane-disfunkcia-v-god-vyborov/a-68015946 |url-status=live }}

Russian-Bashkir rapper Morgenshtern supported the protest. He posted the image of Salawat Yulayev on social networks, who is widely considered a national hero of the republic.{{Citation|title=Протесты в Башкирии: стычки с ОМОНом, аресты и обвинения Украины {{!}} Новости России| date=18 January 2024 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbYcrlV-XB0|accessdate=2024-01-21|language=ru|archive-date=26 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240126184938/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbYcrlV-XB0|url-status=live}}

• {{ill|2020 Kushtau protests|ru|Протесты на Куштау|uk|Протести на Куштау}}
• Separatism in Russia
• Opposition to Vladimir Putin in Russia
• National Liberation Struggle of the Bashkir People

{{reflist}}{{Separatists in Russia}}{{Russian opposition|state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bashkortostan protests, 2024}}

Category:2024 protests

Category:January 2024 in Russia

Category:Protests in Russia

Category:Opposition to Vladimir Putin

2024 protests