Russia: Police carry out arrests at protest in Khabarovsk July 12 /update 1

Event

Police carried out a number of arrests in Khabarovsk on Sunday, July 12, as protests in support of the governor of Khabarovsk Krai, Sergei Furgal, continued for the second consecutive day. Unauthorized protest activity reportedly occurred in the vicinity of Lenin Square, where protesters then marched through the city center.

Further protests are possible in the short term.

Context

Sergei Fugal was arrested on July 9 under suspicion of involvement in the murders of three businessmen between 2004 and 2005. Opposition groups have questioned why Furgal has been arrested 15 years after the crimes he is accused of and it has been alleged that Furgal's detention is linked to a crackdown on the opposition following the recent vote on constitution reforms which enable President Vladimir Putin to seek two further terms in office. On Saturday, July 11, between 5000 and 40,000 protesters gathered in Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Bikin, and Amursk in support of Furgal.

Advice

Individuals in Khabarovsk region, and Russia more generally, are advised to avoid all public demonstrations due to the risk of arrest, refrain from discussing political subjects in public or on social media, adhere to instructions issued by local authorities, and anticipate localized disruption near any protest sites.