Charisma Fayil Alsynova, a Bashkir activist, faced a heavy penalty. Regional authorities in the Russian Republic of Bashkortostan sentenced him this Wednesday to four years in prison, accusing him of inciting ethnic hatred in a speech delivered the previous year. Thousands gathered in the Baymak district to protest the arrest and punishment of the blogger, and riot police were present to manage the crowd.
Several videos circulating online show police deploying batons and tear gas to break up demonstrations. The same clips also captured protesters tossing snow at security personnel. Sources close to Alsinov estimated that roughly 5,000 people gathered near the court on the day of the sentencing, a figure allegedly recorded in the regional registry. On the same day, according to people close to Alsinov, some relatives were detained in an effort to curb further mobilization during the trial.
Protests in Bashkir have rarely reached such scale. Observers noted that the event reflected a broad demand for regional concerns to be heard. A prominent social media post by Ivan Zhdanov documented the protest and echoed the sentiment that this moment tested the boundaries of local authority.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Bashkortostan reported that two criminal cases were opened against Alsinov on the day of the protest. Authorities warned participants that those taking part in mass demonstrations could face long prison terms for participating in what they termed mass riots.
Alsinov faced charges in his own name for a 2023 speech that allegedly spurred legal actions against him, including criticism of workers from Central Asia and the Caucasus. He was accused of describing these workers as “black people,” a claim he rejects, arguing that his words were distorted. He insists that the phrase originally arose from Bashkir usage referring to workers who perform demanding, low-skilled tasks.
Bashkir defense
Fayil Alsynov stands among a small group of Bashkir activists who remained free in a country where tensions run high. Known in his home region for his role in protests, he has drawn attention to resource development and cultural preservation. The dispute over Kushtau mountain, sacred to the Bashkir people, has been a rallying point for cultural activists who argue for protection of ancestral lands and language. In addition to decades advocating for Bashkir language and culture, he has voiced opposition to actions he views as harming his people, and has commented on regional and national conflicts that touch Bashkir communities.
Exiled Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabbasov, quoted by the Moscow Times, described Alsinov as a well-known figure who has earned the respect of many for his lifelong work on Bashkir concerns. Gabbasov noted that Alsinov spoke openly about local issues and shared reflective analyses of Bashkir challenges. Alsinov is associated with the World Bashkir Congress (Qoroltai in Bashkir) and was the president of a national Bashkir organization, Bashkir, which was banned by the Russian government in 2020.