Prosecutors in the Orenburg Regional Court have requested prison sentences of 14 to 15 years for ten defendants in the so-called 'Baymak case', according to a Telegram chat of Bashkortostan activists who attended the hearing.
The state prosecution is seeking 14 years for those charged with organizing mass unrest, and 15 years for those also accused of using violence against a representative of the authorities. According to the case file on the court's website, both charges apply to Samat Davletov, Salavat Yelkbaev, Artur Mukhametov, Alfinur Rakhmatullin, Yulai Ayupov and Akhmet Yakupov. Ainur Khusainov, Zakir Akhmedin, Ilyas Bayguskaraov and Danis Gaisin face only the charge of organizing unrest.
The case stems from mass unrest in the town of Baymak in early 2024. Days earlier, a local court had sentenced environmental activist Fail Alsynov, co-leader of the Bashkort organization, to four years in prison on charges of inciting hatred or enmity. On the day of the verdict, thousands of people from across the republic gathered in Baymak. Security forces dispersed them using batons, tear gas and stun grenades. In response, protesters threw snowballs and sticks.
Defendants in the Baymak case were detained through the end of April. According to calculations by Idel.Realities, 68 people have received actual prison sentences ranging from three years and three months to seven and a half years. Two people died and at least two suffered serious injuries.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for August 19.