Thousands take part in anti-Kremlin protests in Russia’s far east

Protests have been taking place in Khabarovsk, on the border with China, after the arrest of popular governor Sergei Furgal in a murder probe

This comes after President Vladimir Putin this month oversaw a controversial vote that allows him to extend his hold on power until 2036

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Russians take part in a rally in Khabarovsk in support of arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal, who is accused of organising the murder of several entrepreneurs 15 years ago. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:23pm, 18 Jul 2020Updated: 7:26pm, 18 Jul 2020

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Russia’s far east on Saturday in a rare show of defiance against the Kremlin as they protested the arrest of a popular governor.

The huge rallies in the city of Khabarovsk on the border with China present a growing headache for the Kremlin, observers say, and come after President Vladimir Putin this month oversaw a controversial vote that allows him to extend his hold on power until 2036.

The protests in Khabarovsk, a city of some 600,000 people, began a week ago following the sudden arrest of popular governor Sergei Furgal in a murder probe.

While many expressed support for the arrested politician, some of the protest signs and chants were distinctly anti-Putin.

People hold posters reading “Freedom for Sergei Furgal, I am, we are Sergei Furgal”, “Give us Furgal back”, “Call Furgal home” during an unsanctioned protest in Khabarovsk, Russia. Photo: AP

On Saturday, tens of thousands, including young people, the elderly and women with children in strollers marched through Khabarovsk’s hilly streets in temperatures of over 30 degrees Celsius.

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