"Russian Protests: Activist's Arrest Sparks Widespread Unrest and Political Fallout"

Thousands of people protested in Bashkortostan in support of activist Fayil Alsynov, who was sentenced to four years in a penal colony on charges of “inciting interethnic hatred.” The protests were met with violence from riot police, injuring at least 40 people. Alsynov has been engaged in activist work in Bashkortostan for over 15 years, and his speech against illegal mining led to his arrest. The republic's leader, Radiy Khabirov, has been accused of targeting Alsynov due to his enduring popularity and the success of previous protests. Despite the crackdown, calls for new rallies in the capital Ufa continue.