In Ufa, a major city in Bashkortostan, a 67-year-old activist was arrested over a solo picket in defence of the Bashkir language in schools.

Irek Agishev, a 67-year-old activist from the Aktamyr Centre, was sentenced to three days of arrest. The reason was a picket in support of education in the Bashkir language. This was reported by the 7×7 publication.

Five people took part in the demonstration, which took place on 3 July. They held placards reading: “Minister of Education of the Republic of Bashkortostan Mavletberdin I.M.—resign!,” “Let’s restore national education in Bashkir schools in the Republic of Bashkortostan,” and “In a federal state, education cannot be unified!”

The security forces deemed the picket to be an unauthorised mass event and drew up a report on Agishev. The activist did not plead guilty. According to him, he was holding a solo picket. It is likely the activist was released in the courtroom, as the court counted the term of arrest from the moment of detention.

What is known about ‘Aktamyr’

The Aktamyr Centre has been operating since 1994, advocating for the opening of national kindergartens and schools, as well as for compulsory study of the Bashkir language.