JABAROVSK / MOSCOW (Reuters) – Tens of thousands marched in the Russian Far East on Saturday, the third consecutive protest that weekend, to express anger at what they say President Vladimir Putin mishandled the local political crisis.
People participate in a demonstration in support of the arrested regional governor Sergei Furgal, accused of organizing the murder of several businessmen 15 years ago, in Khabarovsk, Russia, on July 25, 2020. REUTERS / Evgenii Pereverzev
Residents of Khabarovsk, about 3,800 miles (6,110 km) and seven time zones east of Moscow, are unhappy with the arrest this month of the region’s popular governor, Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on murder charges that he denies.
His arrest, which his supporters said was politically motivated, sparked the protests and created a headache for the Kremlin, which is trying to fix a COVID-19-induced drop in real revenue and control the riots.
Protesters chanted “Putin resign!” and “Putin is a thief!” Protesters say they want Furgal, who they believe was created, to be transferred back from Moscow and tried in Khabarovsk.
City authorities estimated that some 6,500 people had participated. A local media outlet put the number at up to 20,000, while other opposition media and activists said more than 50,000 had attended and was the largest protest of its kind so far.
“Give us our Furgal back,” said a local businesswoman named Viktoria. “This is our choice.”
The protests have highlighted anger among some at what they see as policies emanating from independent Moscow-based authorities.
Supporters of Furgal, a member of the nationalist LDPR party, feel he is being belatedly punished for defeating a candidate from the pro-Putin ruling party United Russia in 2018. The Kremlin says Furgal has serious charges to respond.
Such sustained protests are unusual for Russia’s regions, as is the fact that the authorities have not yet moved to divide them.
In an apparent move to calm tensions, Putin appointed a new interim governor on Monday. But protesters said they were insulted by the election of Mikhail Degtyaryov, who has no connection to the region, and demanded that he resign.
Reports by Yury Zolotarev and Andrew Osborn; Louise Heavens and Grant McCool Edition
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