Activists in Bashkortostan are facing serious criminal charges, including the potential of 15 years in prison, for their involvement in organizing protests and assaulting public officials. The charges stem from a large protest in the city of Ufa, in response to the sentencing of Indigenous rights activist Fail Alsynov to four years in a penal colony. The protests, which saw thousands of participants, resulted in swift crackdowns by Russian authorities, with dozens of people being charged with joining unsanctioned rallies and several being jailed for up to 15 days. The charges against Alsynov and his fellow activists are related to “mass riots” and alleged assault of public officials. Alsynov’s previous criticism of the Russian war in Ukraine and his role in a movement to preserve the culture and identity of the Bashkir people have also contributed to the ongoing persecution. The situation highlights the risks of protesting in Russia, especially for Indigenous peoples fighting for their rights and protecting their traditional territories.