Fail Alsynov is a political prisoner

Prominent Bashkir environmental activist sentenced to 4 years’ imprisonment for a speech at an anti-extractivist rally

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Fail Alsynov a political prisoner. Alsynov has been convicted on a charge of ‘incitement to hatred on the grounds of ethnicity’ for a speech he made at an environmental protest. Fail Alsynov’s prosecution and conviction violate his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial. We demand the immediate release of Fail Alsynov and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Who is Fail Alsynov and what were the charges against him?

Fail Alsynov (in his passport, his surname is ‘Alchinov’) is a well-known Bashkir opposition activist who has been critical of the head of the republic, Radiy Khabirov. Previously, Alsynov headed Bashkort, a civil society organisation which advocated sovereignty for Bashkortostan and defended the interests of Bashkirs. In 2020, a court designated Bashkort extremist and banned the organisation. Alsynov was also an active participant in rallies to protect the Kushtau mountain, a site held sacred by Bashkirs.

On 18 August 2023, Alsynov was charged with ‘public incitement of hatred or enmity’ (Article 282, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code) on the basis of a complaint by Khabirov. Khabirov had complained to the prosecutor’s office about a speech by Alsynov at a protest rally on 28 April 2023 in Baymaksky District. In that speech, delivered in the Bashkir language, Alsynov had spoken out against plans to establish a new gold mine. According to the prosecution, in his speech, Alsynov had used the term ‘qara halıq,’ which allegedly insulted people from the Caucasus and Central Asia. Alsynov denied he was guilty of the charge. According to him, the phrase means ‘ordinary people.’

On 17 January 2024, Alsynov was convicted and sentenced to four years in a general-regime penal colony. The prosecutor had also asked for Alsynov to be given four years but in a less severe low-security penal colony.

Alsynov’s sentence sparked large-scale protests in Bashkortostan, which were accompanied by police violence and mass arrests. Dozens of new prosecutions, on both criminal and administrative-law charges, resulted. Two people died after being detained.

Why do we consider Alsynov a political prisoner?

Alsynov’s prosecution is politically motivated. The criminal investigation was initiated against him on the basis of appeals to the prosecutor’s office by the head of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, and the head of his administration, Iskander Akhmetvaleev.

Alsynov is a popular politician in Bashkortostan and a significant opponent of the regional authorities. The high level of support he enjoys is also evidenced by the mass protests on the day of the verdict and the following days.

The speech for which Alsynov was prosecuted concerned the deterioration of the environmental situation and was not intended to incite hostility towards other ethnic groups or their denigration. His prosecution was based on a single linguistic evaluation by a specialist who had previously participated in the hearings that led to the banning of Bashkort and in other criminal prosecutions of Bashkir activists. His opinion is neither objective nor unbiased.

A detailed description of Fail Alsynov’s case and of our position is available on our website.

Recognition of an individual as a political prisoner does not imply the ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project agrees with, or approves, their views, statements, or actions.

How can you help?

You can write to Fail Alsynov at the following address:

In Russian: 614056, г. Пермь, ул. Соликамская, д. 246, ФКУ ИК-29 ГУФСИН России по Пермскому краю, Алчинову Фаилю Фаттаховичу, 1986 г. р.

In English: Fail Fattakhovich Alchinov (born 1986), Penal Colony No. 29, Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Perm Krai, 246 Solikamskaya Street, Perm, 614056, Russia.

You can send an email via Zonatelecom (Russian bank cards), PrisonMail (other bank cards), or OVD-Info (free of charge).

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the recipient.

You can donate to support all political prisoners in Russia.