Russia: Protests in Magas continue through March 27

Event

Around 10,000 people gathered in Magas, the capital of Ingushetia, on Tuesday, March 26, to denounce a land swap agreement with Chechnya. Protesters rallied in the central square through Wednesday, March 27, despite attempts by security personnel to forcibly disperse the group. The demonstrators eventually agreed to leave the square after local authorities promised to grant them another permit to protest again within five days. However, some individuals reportedly regrouped and blocked the state highway between Baku and Rostov-on-Don after leaving the square. Further protests are likely in the coming days in Magas and heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are expected around any demonstration.

Context

Residents in Ingushetia have held regular protests since September 2018 after Ingush leader Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov signed an agreement to trade contested borderland areas. The March 26 protest broke out after Ingushetia’s parliament proposed an amendment that would make a popular referenda on changing the border areas no longer necessary.

Advice

Individuals in Ingushetia are advised to monitor developments to the situation, anticipate localized traffic disruptions and a heightened security presence near protests, and avoid all public demonstrations as a precaution.