Russia: Tens of thousands protest in Khabarovsk to demand release of governor on July 18 /update 6

Event

Tens of thousands are reported to have protested in the city of Khabarovsk in Russia's far eastern region of Khabarovsk Krai on Saturday, July 18, to demand the release of the local governor Sergei Furgal. Regional media estimates that around 50,000 people took to the streets in the biggest demonstration ever reported in the city.

Further protests are likely in the near term, and associated disruptions are to be expected. 

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 claimed that Furgal's detention is linked to a crackdown on the opposition following the recent vote on constitution reforms that enable President Vladimir Putin to seek two further terms in office. 

Advice

Those in the Khabarovsk, 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.