Russia: Police arrest demonstrators in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on July 29 /update 12

Event

Police arrested three demonstrators in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on Wednesday, July 29, as protests continue against the arrested former governor of the Khabarovsk Krai region. Reportedly one of the demonstrators was beaten during his arrest, although this is not currently clear. 

Rallies were also reported in the regional capital Khabarovsk on Wednesday for a nineteenth straight day, where participants were calling for the resignation of Russian president Vladimir Putin. 

Further protests are likely in the near term throughout Khabarovsk Krai, 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.