Pictures: Massive protests in Russia's far east rattle Kremlin

Thousands protest against Kremlin in Russian far east city of Khabarovsk

Published: August 01, 2020 13:30 Reuters and compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

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Thousands of people marched in the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk on Saturday for the fourth weekend in a row, protesting at President Vladimir Putin's handling of a local political crisis. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Residents of Khabarovsk, around 6,110 km and seven time zones east of Moscow, are unhappy about the July 9 detention of the wider region's popular regional governor, Sergei Furgal, who was arrested on murder charges he denies. Image Credit: REUTERS

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His detention, which his supporters say was politically motivated, has triggered weeks of street protests, creating a headache for the Kremlin which is trying to troubleshoot a sharp COVID-19-induced drop in real incomes and keep a lid on unrest as the economy stutters. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Sheltering from sporadic and heavy rain beneath umbrellas, protesters chanted "Freedom!" and "We came here of our own will." One banner read "Russia without Putin" and protesters chanted "Putin resign!" Image Credit: REUTERS

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Many held up placards in solidarity with the arrested governor, reading "I am/We are Sergei Furgal". Some marchers wore face masks with the same slogan. Image Credit: REUTERS

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City authorities estimated around 3,500 people had taken part. Some local media put the number at around 10,000 or higher, but said the crowds were smaller than one week ago. Image Credit: REUTERS

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The protests have highlighted anger among some in the far east over what they see as policies emanating from detached Moscow-based authorities on the other side of the country. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Supporters of Furgal, the arrested governor and a member of the nationalist LDPR party, feel he is being belatedly punished for defeating a candidate from the ruling pro-Putin United Russia party in 2018. The Kremlin says Furgal has serious charges to answer. Image Credit: REUTERS

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Such sustained demonstrations are unusual for Russia's regions, as is the fact that the authorities have not yet moved to break them up. | Above: A woman carries a banner reading "Putin, why", during the rally. Image Credit: AFP

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Putin has named a new acting governor, but protesters say he has no connection with the region and have called on him to step down too. | Above: A woman holds up a placard reading "Freedom for Sergei Furgal", during the protest. Image Credit: AFP

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People carry a banner reading "Return Furgal for us", during an unauthorised rally in support of Sergei Furgal in the Russian far eastern city of Khabarovsk. Image Credit: AFP

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People carry a banner reading "Sergei Furgal", during the protest rally. Image Credit: AFP

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People walk in the rain during an anti-Kremlin rally in support of former regional governor Sergei Furgal. Image Credit: REUTERS

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