A protest was held in Khabarovsk after the sentencing of Sergei Furhal

In Khabarovsk, several tens of people took part in a protest after the former governor of the region, Sergei Furgal, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

As Sibir.Realii writes, residents of the city came to the rally with flags with Furgal’s portrait and posters. Among the slogans of the protestors: “Russia is ruled by Satan”, “The Shameful Court of Lies”, “Freedom of Russia” and others. People chanted: “I, we are Sergey Furgal.” Separately, they appealed to judge Hennadiy Tsoi, who passed the sentence, accusing him of making an illegal decision.

The action was peaceful, the police did not interfere with the event and stood around the perimeter of the square. There is no information about the arrests of protesters. Some time after the start of the picket, the ego participants dispersed.

Single pickets were also held in the center of Khabarovsk. Protesters spoke of Furgal’s full support and said they hoped for a review of the case.

On February 10, the Moscow Regional Court in Lyubertsy sentenced Sergei Furgal to 22 years in prison, the jury found him guilty of organizing contract killings. Furgal did not admit guilt, he considers his persecution to be political.

• Furgal was detained by FSB special forces in Khabarovsk in July 2020 and immediately taken to Moscow. He became an accused in a criminal case after winning the gubernatorial elections in 2018. He defeated the Kremlin-backed candidate Vyacheslav Short. Before that, the politician was elected to the State Duma from the LDPR, he headed the Committee on Health Protection in the chamber.
• In support of the politician, numerous protest actions were held in Khabarovsk for several months. The participants demanded the release of the politician or at least his trial in the region, not in Moscow. Furgal denies guilt and claims that he was pressured by the investigation, and his family was threatened.