Press Release, 25.01.2021

In the photo: Batyr Boromangnayev with a placard “Free political prisoners!” / the Kalmykian branch of Yabloko

On 23 January, Batyr Boromangnayev, Chairman of the Kalmykian branch of the Yabloko party, held a single picket in Elista, capital of Kalmykia, in support of political prisoners in Russia and solidarity with imprisoned Ingush activists.

According to the leader of the regional party branch, dozens of Ingush activists who protested against the arbitrary transfer of their lands to Chechnya are under criminal prosecution by the Russian authorities for political reasons: Akhmed Barakhoev, Bagaudin Khautiev, Zarifa Sautieva, Malsag Uzhakhov, Musa Malsagov, Barakh Chemurziev, Ismail Nalgiev, Ali Hamkhoev  and many others.

The activists of the regional branch of Yabloko noted that during the picket they distributed information leaflets about political prisoners and violations of human rights in Russia, as well as postcards with a text addressed to Russian President Vladimir Putin demanding an end to the criminal prosecution of Ingushetia citizens, participants in a peaceful protest rally in March 2019.

In the photo: Batyr Boromangnayev / the Kalmykian branch of Yabloko

“In general the picket was met positively by citizens, passing cars honked in support, passers-by made remarks in support of political prisoners and against non-observance of the rights of Russian citizens by the law enforcement agencies and the Russian authorities,” Batyr Boromangnayev noted.

It should be noted that Yabloko members were arrested in Yakutsk branch of Yabloko and Arkhangelsk on the eve of the protest actions.