A mass public concert to support Radiy Khabirov, the Kremlin-backed leader of Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan, was held on January 26 in the central square in the Bashkir capital, Ufa. The event comes after the sentencing of an outspoken critic of Khabirov's government to four years in prison sparked massive protests that led to violent clashes with police last week. Some Telegram channels posted videos of purported participants in the pro-Khabirov rally saying they were forced to go to the gathering under threat that they would lose their jobs if they refused to come to Salavat Yulayev Square. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here.
Mass Public Concert To Support Kremlin-Backed Leader Of Russia's Bashkortostan Held Amid Crackdown
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