Ingushetia: thousands of protestors clash with police, demand resignation of republic head

Thousands of people are on the streets in Nazran and Magas in the Republic of Ingushetia (Russia), demanding the resignation of the head of the republic, Yunus-Bek Yevkurov.

The protests began on 26 March and continue to intensify. Roads have been blocked, and buses with special forces units have been brought in. Clashes with the police took place last night and early this morning, which can be seen in the video clip below:

“The security forces repeatedly organise ‘provocations’, trying to escalate the situation. During the night and the morning, a total of three attempts were made to disperse [the crowds], but they were beaten back,” human rights advocate Magomed Mutsolgov wrote on his blog page on the Caucasian Knot news portal.

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At first, in agreement with the authorities, the protesters left the square in Magas. But by that time thousands of people had already returned.

The reason for the protest is a law on referendums in the Republic of Ingushetia.

Protesters say the head of the republic has secretly tried to push a bill through parliament that would do away with the need for a referendum on issues such as the republic’s status within the Russian Federation, its name, its abolition or association with other regions, in addition to changing its borders and territories.