Bashkir Authorities Reportedly Charge Opposition Leader With Extremism

11 July 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Authorities in Russia's Republic of Bashkortostan have reportedly charged an opposition leader with instigating extremist activities.

Interfax quotes an unnamed official in the Bashkir Prosecutor-General's Office as saying Airat Dilmukhametov, leader of the unregistered Bashkir National Congress, is charged with inciting riots in Ufa in March with the aim of seizing power in Bashkortostan.

Interfax quotes the official as saying prosecutors opened a criminal case against Dilmukhametov in April after the riots.

(Interfax)