Putin allowed rallies in the Olympic Sochi

President Vladimir Putin amended the decree on the strengthening of security measures during the Olympics in Sochi, reports Lenta.ru. In accordance with the new version of the document published on January 4, protests will be allowed in the city and adjacent territories.

In the previous version of the text of the Decree dating from November 15, it was noted that any mass events not related to the Olympic Games should not be held from January 7 to March 21, 2014.

The new version of the document emphasizes that the meetings, demonstrations and processions that are not related to the conduct of the Olympic and Paralympic Games may be held subject to the agreement with the territorial bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and their routes, the number of participants and the temporary interval must be approved by the Sochi city administration.

As ITAR-TASS, Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, explained, the selection of a site where mass demonstrations can be carried out "in free mode" will be engaged in the organizers of the games together with the authorities of Sochi and the Krasnodar Territory. The presidential spokesman emphasized that “if necessary” in the chosen place can be carried out by protest shares.

On December 12, it was reported that the Sochi City Hall determined the only place for protests during the Olympics - a deserted park in a host. This is a remote part of the city, the inhabitants of some areas of Sochi in order to get to the rally, you will have to drive about 100 kilometers.

In turn, the president of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach in December stated that the organizers of the Games informed him of his intention to create special zones for the protest actions during the Olympiad.

On December 5, the FSB proposed to mitigate the decree of Vladimir Putin on the blockade of Sochi during the Olympics, allowing protest promotions in the city, provided that they are agreed with the authorities. The amendment to the decree was developed on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak. Its adoption, according to the FSB, will allow, on the one hand, to comply with the requirements of the Olympic Charter, and on the other, "most effectively manage potential protest actions that can occur during the games."

Winter Olympic Games will be held in Sochi from February 7 to 23, 2014. The Paralympic Games will take place from 7 to 16 March.