Russia: Demonstrations planned in Khabarovsk Krai July 18 /update 4

Event

Social activists have called for demonstrations in Khabarovsk Krai on Saturday, July 18, in an unauthorized rally in support of the Khabarovsk Krai's governor, Sergei Furgal. According to media sources, demonstrators will gather in central Lenin Square in Khabarovsk at 12:00 (local time). Similar rallies are expected in Komsomolsk-on-Amur as well as other towns in the region.

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 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.