Khabarovsk: Russian Far East City Erupts in Protests Over Governor's Arrest

Hundreds take to the streets demanding the release of Sergei Furgal.

Protests in the far-eastern city of Khabarovsk entered their second week on Monday, with hundreds of people taking to the streets to demand the release of the region's governor, Sergei Furgal, who was arrested last week on murder charges.

Furgal, a member of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), was detained on Thursday by federal security agents and flown to Moscow for questioning. He is accused of organizing the murders of two businessmen in 2004 and 2005.

Furgal's arrest has sparked outrage in Khabarovsk, where he is a popular figure. Protesters say the charges against him are politically motivated and that he is being punished for his criticism of the Kremlin.

The protests have been largely peaceful, but there have been some clashes with police. On Sunday, police used water cannons and stun grenades to disperse a crowd of protesters who had gathered outside the regional government building.

The Kremlin has condemned the protests and accused the opposition of trying to destabilize the region. However, the protests show no signs of abating, and there are fears that they could spread to other parts of Russia.

Background:

• Khabarovsk is a city in the Russian Far East, near the border with China.
• It is the capital of Khabarovsk Krai, the eighth-largest federal subject of Russia.
• The city has a population of about 600,000 people.
• Khabarovsk is an important industrial and transportation center.
• It is home to a number of large factories, including an oil refinery and a shipbuilding yard.
• The city is also a major transportation hub for the Russian Far East.

Analysis:

• The protests in Khabarovsk are a sign of growing discontent with the Kremlin's rule.
• Furgal's arrest has sparked anger and frustration among many Russians, who see it as an attack on regional autonomy.
• The protests could spread to other parts of Russia if the Kremlin does not respond to the demands of the protesters.

Conclusion:

The protests in Khabarovsk are a serious challenge to the Kremlin's authority. The Kremlin will need to find a way to resolve the crisis without further alienating the people of the Russian Far East.