Rifat Dautov, who died after being detained by law enforcement, has been buried in Bashkortostan. The regular and riot police 'ensured order at the funeral,' as reported by the 'Aspekty' ('Aspects') Telegram channel on February 6.
The regular and riot police 'ensured order at the funeral' of Bashkortostan resident Rifat Dautov, buried on February 6. According to the Telegram channel 'Odnazhdy v Bashkirii' ('Once upon a time in Bashkiria'), the policemen might have been stationed at the residential school in Mrakovo settlement in late January, supposedly to prevent unrest at the farewell ceremony with Dautov.
Security forces apprehended Dautov on January 25, suspecting him of participation at the demonstration in support of the activist Fail Alsynov. The following day, Dautov’s relatives were summoned to identify his body at a morgue. Pro-government media suggest that the man died due to alcohol intoxication. Dautov’s sister and friends, however, claim that Rifat did not consume alcohol and did not participate in protests. They still have not received an official conclusion on the man's cause of death.
Dautov’s demise sparked a reaction among Bashkortostan residents. Human rights activists from the 'OVD-Info' group demanded an investigation of the man’s death and suggested Russian residents sending similar requests to the Investigative Committee.
The deceased Rifat Dautov. Photo from the Telegram channel 'Aspekty — Bashkortostan.' Source: t.me
In January 2024, mass protests in support of the activist Fail Alsynov took place in Baymak and Ufa. Alsynov was sentenced to 4 years in prison for the anti-gold mining speech he delivered at a village gathering. The police drew up over 120 reports on violations, and 34 individuals were placed in detention centers for participating in the protests.
The head of the Republic of Bashkortostan, Radiy Khabirov, labeled activists as 'extremists' and Alsynov’s supporters as 'dummies.' Subsequently, he 'extended a hand of friendship' to disgruntled residents and promised to solve problems arising due to gold mining in the region.
