More than 1,000 rally in Russian region in continuing protests over activist's jailing

More than 1,000 people have rallied in the Russian region of Bashkortostan, continuing a series of protests triggered by the conviction and sentencing of a local activist and handing a new challenge to the Kremlin

MOSCOW -- More than 1,000 people rallied in the Russian region of Bashkortostan on Friday, continuing a series of protests triggered by the conviction and sentencing of a local activist and handing a new challenge to the Kremlin.

People gathered in the main square of Ufa, the main city of Bashkortostan, a region spread between the Volga River and the Ural Mountains, dancing and singing folk songs. Police initially didn't intervene, but later rounded up about 10 participants as the crowd thinned in freezing temperatures, according to the independent Vyorstka and SOTAvision news outlets.

Protesters shouting “Shame!” tried to block a police bus carrying the detainees in the city of 1.1 million about 1,150 kilometers (700 miles) east of Moscow.

The rally followed clashes on Wednesday in the town of Baymak in which hundreds of protesters faced off with police following the trial of Fail Alsynov, a local activist who was convicted of inciting hatred and sentenced to four years in prison. Police used batons, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters, who chanted “Freedom!” and “Disgrace!” and demanded the ouster of Bashkortostan’s regional leader.

At least 17 people accused of involvement in the clashes were given jail terms ranging from 10 to 13 days.