Протесты в Башкирии: стычки с ОМОНом, аресты и обвинения Украины | Новости России

varlamov

18 Jan 202423:31

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses protests in the Russian republic of Bashkortostan sparked by the sentencing of activist Failya Alsnov to four years in prison for supposed extremist speech. The protests grew to thousands of people and turned violent when police used force to disperse the crowds. The grievances reflect deep tensions over language rights, environment, mobilization policies, and Bashkir dissatisfaction with federal control. The protests are notable as rare mass unrest emerging from Russia's national republics over local issues rather than just anti-Putin opposition.

Takeaways

😮 The protests started peacefully but turned violent on the day the verdict was announced, with clashes between protesters and riot police
😡 Protesters are demanding freedom for jailed activist Faik Alisov and the resignation of the head of Bashkortostan
👮‍♂️ Alisov was sentenced to 4 years in prison for allegedly inciting hatred in a speech defending Bashkir language and land
😤 Protesters see Alisov's sentence as unjust and symbolic of wider grievances over ecological, linguistic and cultural issues
🚷 Attempts were made to suppress the protests - blocking roads, disrupting internet access, arresting leaders
💪🏻 But the protests grew larger, attracting thousands of people over three days to the small town of Baimak
🗣️ Slogans expanded from demanding Alisov's freedom to calls for political change and Bashkir independence
😰 The clashes reveal tensions in Russia's national republics over language, culture and autonomy from Moscow
👮 Authorities have responded by arresting protesters and opening criminal cases for mass unrest and violence
❓ It remains unclear how the protests will impact Republic leader Radiy Khabirov and the Kremlin

Q & A

What were the protests in the city of Baimak about?
-The protests were sparked by the trial and imprisonment of local activist Faily Asnov on controversial extremism charges. People protested against what they saw as an unfair trial.
How did the authorities respond to the protests?
-The authorities responded with force, sending police troops and special forces to the protests. They also tried to restrict access to the city and block social media channels covering the events.
What were some of the protesters' demands?
-Protesters demanded the release of Faily Asnov from prison. They also called for the resignation of the head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov.
How did the protests turn violent?
-When Asnov was sentenced to 4 years in prison, protesters tried to storm the courthouse. Police used tear gas and batons, while protesters threw objects back at them.
What role has nationalism played in the protests?
-Asnov is seen as defending Bashkir language and culture against Russification. The protests tap into a defensive Bashkir nationalism against federal policies.
How did officials respond to the protests?
-Local officials were silent for days. Finally the head of Bashkortostan, Khabirov, blamed officials for not explaining their actions but said protesters were trying to sow ethnic tensions.
What are the deeper grievances behind the protests?
-Experts say Bashkirs have long-standing grievances over language, culture, economy and environmental issues that the protests tap into, beyond just Asnov's case.
How were social media channels involved?
-Authorities tried to restrict Telegram channels covering the protests. But protesters still used social media to coordinate.
Could the protests spread further?
-Analysts warn the protests could spread if the federal government continues restrictive linguistic and cultural policies seen as imperialistic.
How were the protests finally stopped?
-Asnov's father negotiated for detained protesters to be released and asked people to disperse peacefully, which they eventually did.

Outlines

00:00

05:02

10:05

15:05

20:06

Mindmap

The video is abnormal, and we are working hard to fix it.
Please replace the link and try again.

Keywords

💡Baymak

Baymak is a small city in Bashkortostan, Russia, which became the epicenter of mass protests following the trial and sentencing of a local activist, Fail Alsynov. The script describes how thousands of people from Baymak and surrounding areas gathered to protest against Alsynov's four-year prison sentence. This situation underscores the city's role as a flashpoint for broader issues of freedom of speech, environmental concerns, and ethnic rights within the Russian Federation.

💡Protests

Protests in this context refer to the collective actions taken by the people of Baymak in response to the perceived injustice of Fail Alsynov's sentencing. The protests included mass gatherings, slogans demanding freedom, and confrontations with police forces. These events are significant as they reflect broader societal discontent with government policies, particularly in areas related to environmental protection, ethnic rights, and freedom of speech.

💡OMON

OMON refers to the Special Purpose Mobile Unit, a type of riot police in Russia. In the script, OMON forces are described as being brought in to manage the crowds during the protests in Baymak. This highlights the government's response to the protests, using force and riot control measures to suppress dissent, and indicates the level of seriousness with which the authorities viewed the protests.

💡Fail Alsynov

Fail Alsynov is a local activist from Baymak, whose trial and subsequent four-year prison sentence for charges of inciting hatred sparked the mass protests described in the script. Alsynov's case is central to the narrative, illustrating issues of ethnic rights, freedom of speech, and environmental activism within Bashkortostan. His activism and trial serve as a catalyst for broader discussions on these subjects in the region.

💡Environmental activism

Environmental activism in the script refers to the efforts led by Fail Alsynov and others to protest against the development of a gold mine near the village of Ishmurzino, which they believed would harm the local environment. This activism is a key theme of the video, representing the intersection of local interests, ethnic identity, and environmental preservation within the broader context of the protests and Alsynov's activism.

💡Ethnic rights

Ethnic rights in the context of the script refer to the rights and interests of the Bashkir people, an ethnic group in Russia. Fail Alsynov's activism, particularly his efforts to protect the Bashkir language and culture, is highlighted as part of the struggle for ethnic rights. The protests in Baymak can thus be seen as not only a response to a legal verdict but also as an expression of ethnic solidarity and demand for the preservation of cultural identity.

💡Rusification policy

Rusification policy refers to the government's efforts to promote Russian language and culture, often at the expense of minority languages and cultures within the Russian Federation. The script mentions this policy in the context of the protests, suggesting that part of the discontent in Bashkortostan stems from perceived attempts by the federal government to diminish the Bashkir language and culture, which activists like Alsynov sought to protect.

💡National Republics

National Republics in Russia, such as Bashkortostan, are regions with ethnically distinct populations that have their own local governments but are ultimately subject to the Russian Federation. The script discusses the unique political and cultural dynamics within these republics, highlighting how issues like environmental protection, ethnic rights, and local governance can become sources of tension and protest.

💡Separatism

Separatism refers to the advocacy for the separation of a particular group of people from a larger political entity. In the script, concerns over separatist sentiments are indirectly mentioned through the crackdown on activists and the portrayal of the protests as potentially being influenced by external forces. This underscores the government's sensitivity to movements that could challenge the territorial integrity or unity of the Russian Federation.

💡Mobilization

Mobilization in the script is discussed in two contexts: the general mobilization of protesters in Baymak and the specific reference to military mobilization. The latter is particularly relevant due to Bashkortostan's high casualty rates in military conflicts, which adds another layer of complexity to the protests. This theme ties into broader discussions of national policy, local impacts, and the intersection of civic and military obligations.

Highlights

Protests erupt in the town of Baimak over the trial of local activist Faily Asnov

Asnov sentenced to 4 years in prison, sparking outrage and demands to remove local leaders

Thousands gather to protest the trial over several days, clashing with police

Authorities attempt to restrict access and communication around protests

Protesters move from demanding Asnov's release to removal of regional leader

Asnov seen as fighter for language rights and ecology by locals

Sentence triggers long-standing grievances of Bashkirs against central rule

Analyst warns nationalism could spark separatism if grievances ignored