It became known who was the target of the political assassination attempt by the international group detained in Greece and Lithuania
Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabasov, leader of the movement for the independence of Bashkortostan, who currently lives in Lithuania, stated that he might have been the target of the political assassination attempt, the preparation of which was previously reported by Lithuanian and Greek media.
Ruslan Gabasov. Screenshot from video
Earlier, Lithuanian and Greek media reported that a criminal group was uncovered last year, allegedly acting in cooperation with Russian special services and preparing an assassination in Lithuania. The alleged targets were named as a 46-year-old Russian political refugee and one Lithuanian political adviser, but their names were not disclosed.
Among the Russians living in Lithuania, Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabasov is 46 years old, and he himself claims in a recorded video that he is the one being referred to.
Ruslan Gabasov was born in 1979 and is a historian by education. He began actively engaging in public and political activities in the early 2010s. Together with like-minded individuals, he created the organization "Bashkort" ("Bashkir"), which focused on protecting the national interests of Bashkirs, including issues of language, ecology, and representation in government bodies. In Russia, this organization was later recognized as extremist and banned.
Gabasov actively participated in protest actions and public campaigns. He advocated for the compulsory study of the Bashkir language, criticized the authorities of Bashkortostan, and supported ecological initiatives, such as opposing the industrial development of Mount Kushtau.
Due to pressure from the authorities, criminal cases were repeatedly initiated against him, and he underwent interrogations and detentions. He himself claimed that this was related to his political activities. In 2021, he left Russia, first going to Turkey, and then moving to Lithuania, where he sought political asylum. In 2022, he was officially granted this asylum.
After leaving the country, he continued his active work: he became one of the initiators of various international platforms related to the ideas of decentralization of Russia and the rights of peoples. At the same time, new cases were opened against him in Russia, including charges of extremism, and he was added to the list of "foreign agents." His relatives were also detained in Russia.
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