Altai Residents Protest Land Rights Changes, Demand Official Resignations

Protests Erupt in Altai Republic Over Controversial Land Rights Amendments Residents of the Altai Republic in southern Siberia are staging large-scale protests against recent amendments to the region's constitution. These amendments, passed on April 24, 2025, have removed the constitutional guarantees of territorial integrity and the inalienability of land. This has sparked widespread concern among the population, who fear the loss of their ancestral lands and the potential for increased exploitation by outside interests. "We, the people of Altai, can no longer tolerate the violation of our rights," stated one protest organizer in a video circulating online. "The amendments remove key protections for our land, leaving us vulnerable to those who seek to profit from its resources." Over 5,000 signatures have been collected on a petition calling for the resignation of the Altai Republic's head, Alexander Turchin, and the deputies who voted in favor of the amendments. Protesters marched to the State Assembly, El Kurultai, to deliver the petition and demand the amendments be repealed. The video shows large groups of people expressing their discontent and highlighting the importance of land rights to their cultural identity and livelihood. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between local populations and central authorities over resource management and land ownership in Russia. The peaceful demonstrations underscore the strength of community feeling in the face of perceived injustice. The outcome of the petition and the government's response will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for similar land rights disputes across Russia.