We demand an investigation into the death of Rifat Dautov

On January 7, the Baimak Court sentenced Bashkir activist Fail Alsynov to four years in a penal colony. After the verdict was announced, security forces began mass detentions of activists, who had gathered at the court to support Fail.

Among those detained was Rifat Dautov, who was not participating in the protest but was seized by police. After his detention, he died under unclear circumstances. We demanded an investigation into the circumstances of his death and, together with you, sent 4,434 appeals to the Investigative Committee.

The Investigative Committee refused to open a criminal case. According to the official version, Dautov died of acute myocardial infarction. However, an independent forensic examination established that he may have been severely beaten before his death: according to experts' estimates, the area of injuries covered at least 30% of his body.

​​Unfortunately, we still do not know the full truth about Rifat Dautov's death. We will continue to seek the disclosure of the circumstances of his death and monitor further persecutions related to the "Baimak case."

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