Bundled up in thick layers of clothing to brave the freezing temperatures, Mongolians sleep on the streets in the heart of Ulaanbaatar and say they will not leave until justice is served in a high-profile hijacking case funds linked to the coal sector.
The arrest of officials suspected of corruption has sparked outcry in the large, landlocked East Asian country, leading to an eighth day of protests on Monday, with thousands of people gathering in the center of the Mongolian capital.
Many protesters decided to spend the night in Chinggis-Khan Square, also called Sukhbaatar Square, despite temperatures regularly dropping below -30 degrees Celsius.
Dressed in a sheepskin deel – a traditional outfit resembling a long tunic – as well as wolfskin jackets and horsehide boots to keep warm, they are determined to stay as long as necessary to get justice and sleep on polystyrene and felt.
“I’m going to stay here until the thieves are punished,” a protester who has been sleeping there for four days and refuses to reveal her identity told AFP. She says she fears for her safety following protesters were beaten up by police last week.
– “The big fish” –
Demonstrators say they have been galvanized by the support of the population, with residents providing them with supplies and sending them words of encouragement. Celebrities and influencers on social networks have even responded to calls for mobilization.
“So many people care regarding us. Ordinary people bring us drinks, meals (…) and warm clothes,” Ariunzaya Tsengelsaikhan, 22, told AFP.
“It’s hot if you sleep between two people and if you stick to each of them. We change positions every two hours to make sure everyone is warm,” she explains. “Two days ago, following I gave an interview on public television, a man gave me a sleeping bag and a mattress.”
Authorities are banning protesters from erecting ger – traditional Mongolian tents – on the north side of the square, where the parliament building and the towering statue of national hero Genghis Khan are located.
“Dogs sleep outside on felt. The government treats us like dogs. We sleep on felt,” said one protester, who also wished to remain anonymous. “We want to build a ger to keep warm and continue our protest.”
The government has announced the arrest of Gankhuyag Battulga, former CEO of Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi, one of Mongolia’s largest coal mining companies, and a dozen other people accused of laundering money from coal diversion.
These arrests did not manage to extinguish the anger of the demonstrators.
“We want the big fish,” thunders Bayaraa Damiran, 30, who is sleeping in Chinggis-Khan Square. “They arrested seven or eight officials who were at the bottom (of the hierarchy). We want to know (who are) the big fish at the very top.”