The Human Rights Council of Bashkortostan, on behalf of the head of the region, Radiy Khabirov, created an initiative group “to protect the rights of residents of the republic who are held accountable for participating in unauthorized rallies in Baymak.” This was reported by the Council's telegram channel.
The report says that the group included qualified lawyers, human rights activists and public figures who are already meeting with relatives of detainees and arrestees and providing free legal assistance.
“It is very important to understand each specific case, explain to people the issues of legislation and procedural issues, identify the objective reasons for the events that occurred and, most importantly, help minimize the consequences. We will conduct trips directly to the Baymak district to meet with people,” said Zulfiya Gaisina, chairwoman of the republican HRC, who led the group.
OVD-Info lawyers believe that most likely in this case the authorities’ task is to intercept the “agenda” from human rights organizations and prevent further intensification of protest sentiments in the region. It is difficult to assess whether this will actually help the victims. Perhaps a few people will be provided with lawyers, given consultations, and a couple of complaints will be taken into account.
“Everything is tested in practice. In terms of human rights, there is a huge mountain of problems that need to be solved. For example, we currently know nothing about the criminal case regarding the death of Rifat Dautov in a paddy wagon. The investigation needs to be covered; we want to know who was responsible for transporting Rifat. And Dim Davletkildin first needs to be provided with professional treatment. We need to check whether this group solves any practical problems,” said Ilgiz Bayguskarov, the brother of one of the detainees.
- On January 17, the Baymaksky District Court sentenced Bashkir activist and ex-leader of the Bashkort movement Fail Alsynov to four years in a general regime colony under the article of inciting hatred or enmity. A criminal case against Alsynov was opened in October 2023 due to an April speech at a gathering of residents of the Baymak region against gold miners, which he conducted entirely in the Bashkir language. In it, the activist criticized the mobilization in the republic and the lack of access of local residents to the natural resources of the region. Alsynov himself later explained that the security forces “didn’t like” his statement about “migrants who come to the republic and are engaged here, including in illegal mining.”
- On the day of Fail Alsynov’s sentencing, residents of Bashkortostan who sympathized with the activist gathered at the court. After the verdict was announced, security forces began to detain protesters, and clashes began. Some participants in the gathering were subsequently arrested . In addition, the security forces opened criminal cases against the protesters under articles on organizing mass riots (Part 1 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code) and participation in them (Part 2 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code), as well as under the article on the use of violence against security forces (Article 212 of the Criminal Code). 318 CC).