Thousands march against Putin
KHABAROVSK/MOSCOW Tens of thousands marched in the Russian far east on Saturday, the third such weekend protest in a row, to express their anger over what they say is President Vladimir Putin’s mishandling of a local political crisis.
Residents of Khabarovsk, about 6110km and seven time zones east of Moscow, are unhappy about the detention this month of the wider region’s popular governor, Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on murder charges he denies.
His arrest, which his supporters say was politically motivated, triggered the protests and created a headache for the Kremlin which is trying to troubleshoot a
COVID-19-induced drop in real incomes and keep a lid on unrest.
Protesters chanted “Putin resign!” and “Putin is a thief!” Demonstrators say they want Mr Furgal, who they think has been set up, to be flown back from Moscow and put on trial in Khabarovsk.
City authorities estimated about 6500 people had taken part. One local media outlet put the number at up to 20,000, while other outlets and opposition activists said upwards of 50,000 had attended and that it was the biggest protest of its kind so far.
“Give us our Furgal back,” said a local businesswoman called Viktoria. “This is our choice.”