Posted 1/19/2024, 1:01:00 PM
Over 1,500 Rally in Russia for Jailed Activist, Calling for His Release and Testing Putin Ahead of 2023 Election
- More than 1,500 people protested in Ufa, Russia in support of jailed activist Fayil Alsynov, calling for his release
- Police dispersed the 3-hour protest, detaining at least 10 people
- The protests are an embarrassment for Putin ahead of 2023 Russian elections
- Alsynov was jailed for 4 years over a 2023 speech lamenting Bashkirs fighting in Ukraine while their lands are taken
- Governor Khabirov accused protest organizers of extremism and betraying Russia, but the Kremlin downplayed the protests