Paul
Goble
Staunton, January 5 – As promised,
the Kalmyk opponents of the imposition of former Donbass occupation official
Dmitry Trapeznikov as mayor of Elista came out to demonstrate without waiting
for the end of the Winter Holidays. They are now demanding not only the dismissal
of the outsider as mayor but also the removal of the republic head, Batu
Khasikov.
Some 500 people assembled to make
these demands, holding signs declaring that “this is our city” and calling for the
removal of the two officials because they do not represent the people of the
city or the republic. Many said they had supported Khasikov in the past but now
want him out because of his support for Trapeznikov (kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/344331/).
Organizers said they were pleased
that so many turned out given the holidays and the cold weather, but they noted
that many Kalmyks who have come back to their native republic for vacations
were among those taking part, a reflection of way in which the Trapeznikov case
has echoed not only in the republic but
more broadly (kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/344339/).
Sanal Ubushiyev and Badma
Byurchiyev, both activists and
organizers, said that Kalmyks increasingly are shifting their anger from
Trapeznikov to Khasikov because Khasikov not only agreed to the installation of
Trapeznikov but has shown his contempt for the Kalmyk people in other ways,
rewarding his friends and failing to meet with the people.
Kalmyks visiting from Moscow and
even as far away as Belgium who took part in the demonstration shared in this
anger, a signal that what is taking place in a republic seldom mentioned except
for the chess interests of its former head may soon attract more attention from
the outside world.
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