The State Duma of Russia has already invented the reason for spontaneous rallies in Bashkiria. This time, the Baltic countries and Ukraine were blamed for allegedly “organising” the protests.
Russia invented an explanation for the protests in Bashkiria
State Duma MP Dinar Hilmutdinov said that the Baltic countries organised the protests involving several thousand people in Bashkiria to undermine the authority of the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov.
He saw "with confidence" that the protests were initiated "not without the participation of elements related to the special services of foreign countries and operating from the territory of Ukraine and the Baltic States through affiliated telegram channels and other communication channels."
According to the Russian official, their main task is to shake up the situation inside the republic in a "difficult time for the country."
Hilmutdinov called the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov, one of the "strongest and most effective regional leaders from Putin's team." Moreover, Khabirov takes an active part in Russia's war against Ukraine.
Protests in Bashkiria: what is known
On January 17, the Baymak District Court in Bashkortostan sentenced a local eco-activist, the former head of the Bashkort organisation banned in Russia, Fail Alsynov, to four years in a general regime colony in the case of "violation of hatred or enmity."
Alsynov defended Bashkiria's ecology and advocated preserving the Bashkir language. He was convicted after speaking at a rally against gold mining last year. Among other things, he mentioned Russia's war against Ukraine.
Mass protests began in Baymak after the verdict. Thousands of people supporting Alsynov gathered in the square before the court building.
Security forces used stun grenades against them. Russian Telegram channels reported that riot police dispersed people with tear gas and beat detainees with sticks.
Later, the action participants dispersed after joining the negotiations with the security forces of Alsynov's father.
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