Yekaterina Khasina is a correspondent for the Siberia Desk of RFE/RL's Russian Service.
The Kremlin set off a revolt of sorts in July 2020 when law enforcement arrested the popular governor of the Khabarovsk region, Sergei Furgal, and replaced him with a temporary appointee from Moscow, Mikhail Degtyaryov.
Authorities have arrested Khabarovsk region Governor Sergei Furgal on suspicion of involvement in a spate of killings in 2004-05. Locals are wondering why the allegations against one of Russia's most popular governors are being dredged up now, 10 days after the region gave only tepid support to constitutional amendments that could enable Vladimir Putin to remain president until 2036.
