By RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service

Prosecutors asked a court in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan on January 11 to convict and sentence to four years in prison Fail Alsynov, the ex-leader of a banned Bashqort group, which for years promoted the Bashkir language and culture. Alsynov was charged with inciting hatred over a speech he gave at a rally in April 2023 that was critical of government plans to start goldmining near a village in Bashkortostan that would bring in migrant laborers. Alsynov rejects the charge as politically motivated. The trial is being held behind closed doors.